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Greetings !

Alliance India continues to make strides in its mission to combat HIV/AIDS and promote inclusivity and healthcare access for all. In this edition of our newsletter, we bring you exciting updates and developments from our recent initiatives and collaborations.

   
   
   

Strengthening Prison & OCS Interventions in Madhya Pradesh

   

On 5th & 6th February 2025, Alliance India’s efforts to enhance healthcare services in prisons and other closed settings (OCS) took a significant step forward. Soubhagya Chakrabarty, Programme Manager—Prison & OCS Intervention, visited Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, to assess progress and reinforce partnerships under the Samagra Programme. Implemented in collaboration with The Lepra Society, the initiative is making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable communities by strengthening community systems through skill-building and healthcare access.


During the visit, discussions with the People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) community opened avenues for forming a community-based organisation (CBO), a crucial step in empowering individuals and ensuring long-term sustainability of community support structures. These efforts align with the programme’s broader goal of strengthening community engagement and advocacy.


The results from the MP Prison team have been remarkable. With over 140,000 HIV screenings conducted between April and December 2024 and a 98% ART linkage rate, the state continues to lead in prison-based healthcare interventions. A visit to Central Jail Bhopal showcased the effective implementation of HIV services.


Stakeholder coordination played a key role in the visit, with engagements at MPSACS, NHM, and the Prison Headquarters reinforcing Madhya Pradesh’s leadership in national prison interventions. Strategies for tracking lost-to-follow-up (LFU) inmates, orientations for healthcare providers, and improved documentation practices were key areas of discussion. Additionally, enhanced coordination with the ART Centre in Bhopal is being prioritised to ensure seamless data sharing and follow-up of inmates receiving treatment.


The engagement with targeted intervention (TI) NGOs further strengthened the push for a community-led response, encouraging the formation of a CBO for PWID. These initiatives not only empower affected individuals but also create a self-sustaining support network, reinforcing the impact of Alliance India’s work under the Samagra Programme.


Looking ahead, the focus remains on improving data documentation, strengthening follow-up mechanisms, fostering better ART centre-prison coordination, and deepening community engagement. Madhya Pradesh’s progress in prison and OCS interventions serves as a model for replication, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts in improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

   
   

Building Stronger Communities: SAHAS Capacity Building Programme

   

From 20th to 23rd February 2025, Project SAHAS, working for transgender persons' health and rights, organised a comprehensive four-day training programme aimed at strengthening Community-Based Organisations (CBOs). The focus was on enhancing their understanding of legal compliances and facilitating the development of robust organisational policies. Designed to empower CBOs with the necessary knowledge and skills, the programme ensured effective governance, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth.


The training brought together CBO partners from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi NCR, and Uttar Pradesh. These organisations play a crucial role in community development, advocacy, and service delivery. Through interactive sessions and expert-led discussions, participants gained essential tools to improve operational efficiency and ensure adherence to legal and policy requirements. Topics covered included concept note and proposal writing, fundraising, programme design and implementation, legal frameworks, data management, and governance. Conducted by expert consultants, the sessions provided invaluable insights for the participants.

   
   
   

Championing Transgender Rights: Stakeholders’ Training on Transgender Persons’ Health and Rights

On 24th and 25th February 2025, a Stakeholders’ Training on Transgender Persons’ Health and Rights took place in New Delhi, bringing together 80 key stakeholders from nine states under Project SAHAS. This initiative, supported by the Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiative, included government officials, medical professionals, faith leaders, lawyers, media representatives, educationists, and community members. The event focused on strengthening knowledge-sharing, best practices, and advocacy for transgender rights.


A significant milestone of this event was the formation of the SAHAS Media Group, a collective of journalists committed to raising awareness about transgender issues and shaping inclusive narratives. This initiative aims to amplify voices, foster inclusivity, and drive meaningful change.


Through such initiatives, SAHAS continues to create opportunities that empower individuals and communities, fostering a future where inclusivity and economic independence go hand in hand.

   
   
   

Threads of Hope: Asha’s Path to Financial Independence

Asha, a resilient woman and mother, has faced immense challenges in her life. Both she and her husband are living with HIV, and their five-year-old daughter is also HIV-positive. Determined to improve her family’s financial situation, Asha enrolled in a stitching course through our skill development programme in GSNP+.


Under the Samagra Program’s Community System Strengthening component, we empower communities through various skill-building initiatives, equipping individuals like Asha with the means to achieve self-reliance. This step towards economic empowerment has enabled her to support her family and secure a better future for her child.


For years, Asha worked as a home cleaner, earning a modest income that barely covered her family’s essential needs. The burden of medical expenses made financial stability seem out of reach. Upon learning about a locally available stitching training programme, she saw an opportunity to build a new skill that could supplement her income. Over the next few months, she dedicated herself to learning stitching, garment repair, and custom tailoring.


After completing the training, Asha started offering stitching services in her community, beginning with small repairs and gradually expanding her work. Her increased earnings have significantly eased her financial burden, allowing her to cover medical expenses and household needs with greater confidence. For Asha, this journey has not only been about financial stability but also about empowerment and self-reliance.

   
   
   

Hira’s Pursuit of Knowledge: Bridging Education and Skill Development

Nineteen-year-old Hira, a B.Com. student from Gujarat, has always aspired for a secure future despite the financial and health challenges her family faces. Hira and her mother are living with HIV, and her father, an electrician, earns ₹15,000 per month, which supports the household.


During a session at the Kaushalya Programme, Hira discovered free computer training classes offered by GSNP+ (Gujarat State Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS), a partner under Program Samagra’s Community System Strengthening initiative. Recognising the importance of digital literacy, she eagerly enrolled. Despite her academic commitments, she attended the training regularly, learning essential software applications that would enhance her employability.


By acquiring digital skills, Hira has taken a proactive step towards securing better job opportunities and financial stability. Her story reflects how community-driven skill development initiatives can empower and give hope to young individuals like her so that they can overcome their barriers and build a successful future.

   
   
   

The Impact of Social Media Outreach on HIV Awareness and Testing

NETREACH, a national-level virtual intervention project supported by the Global Fund, is accelerating India's HIV response by using digital platforms to reach key and vulnerable populations. Implemented by Alliance India in collaboration with The Humsafar Trust, NETREACH plays a crucial role in advancing the first 95 targets of the NACP goals toward eliminating HIV by 2030.


Shahrukh, an immigrant from Bihar, came across a NETREACH social media advertisement featuring Counsellor Virtual Navigator (CVN), who operates in Haryana, West UP, and Bihar. Concerned about his health, Shahrukh reached out to CVN and agreed to take an HIV test. When his results came back positive, during post-test counselling he revealed that his wife was four months pregnant. The CVN encouraged her to get tested, and she, too, was diagnosed as HIV-positive. Both were promptly linked to a government hospital in Delhi and initiated on ART.


This case highlights the critical role of digital outreach in promoting HIV awareness, encouraging testing, and ensuring timely medical intervention. NETREACH’s latest targeted digital campaigns reached over 234,000 individuals, generating 1,939 direct messages and resulting in 105 testing appointments.

   
   
   

Inclusive HIV/STI Care for a Disabled Client

Raj, a 31-year-old physically disabled individual, reached out after viewing an online campaign by NETREACH. Distressed about genital sores and uncertain about his health, he connected with a CVN. With a history of unprotected sex with multiple partners, Raj was overwhelmed by fear and misinformation. The CVN facilitated his testing by coordinating with an ICTC counsellor at Gurgaon’s Government District Hospital, where he was referred to an STI clinic. Despite challenges in accessing care and managing his anxiety, Raj successfully underwent testing and continues to receive follow-up support.


His story exemplifies how virtual interventions ensure inclusive and accessible healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their physical limitations. Through strategic digital engagement, NETREACH’s outreach efforts reached over 234,000 individuals, with 7,292 users visiting the counselling page, leading to 132 new leads for testing and counselling services.


Note: The names in the case studies have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

   
   

As we continue to embark on these transformative journeys and make a lasting impact on the lives of the most marginalised, like  People Living with HIV, transgender and other such group. We invite our generous donors to stand with us. Your support fuels innovation, empowers individuals, and rekindles hope. Join us in shaping a brighter and more inclusive future for all. Your contributions make a world of difference. 


Thank you for being a beacon of change and a source of strength.

   
   

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