Vihaan Care and Support

‘Vihaan Care and Support’ programme aims to enhance treatment adherence and retention in HIV care for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in India.    The programme is implemented nationwide in a diverse partnership with the government, civil society, and the networks of people living with HIV and serves nearly 1.6 million PLHIV through its 319 Care and Support Centers (CSCs) spread across 28 states and 4 union territories in India. The first phase of the programme was launched in 2013 with the grant from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.    In every phase of implementation, the programme has learnt from the community and adopted strategies to enhance early detection partners/spouses and children of PLHIV, early initiation of treatment and retention in HIV care. Moreover enhancing access to social entitlements and welfare schemes contributing towards a comprehensive continuum of care service provision for the improvement of the overall quality of life of people living with HIV.    The community-led model of the Vihaan Care and Support programme has been recognised as an integral part of the national programme as a care and support component. The programme has worked in close coordination with the National AIDS Control Organisation and its state chapters complimenting the national HIV response. Gradually, CSCs are being integrated to the national programme while continuing to provide technical support for smoother transition  Currently, in the fourth phase of implementation (2021-24), the programme, building on the key lessons learnt in the programme, is focusing on strengthening differentiated care and support services and expand reach to the most vulnerable, and hard to reach population to provide holistic care and support services. The programme is prioritising advanced disease management, reducing co-morbidity, addressing attributing factors to mortality, building community resilience, and strengthening public and private healthcare systems.