CNS: July 2022

Long-awaited goal of ensuring every child is born HIV-free

[watch video interview | listen to podcast] Science has gifted us tools and evidence-based approaches to ensure that there is minimal risk of transmission of HIV virus from HIV-positive parents to the child during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. Despite these tools existing since almost two decades now to ensure every child is born HIV-free to positive parents, we have failed to implement them fully. As per UNAIDS, despite substantial progress made in the last two decades to ensure that every child born to positive parents is HIV-free, 150,000 children were born with HIV in 2020. This is nearly eight times more than the desired “goal of achieving less than 20,000 children born with HIV worldwide by 2020”. More worrying is that the pace of the decline has slowed in recent years.

[Watch the recording] If we look back over the past four decades since the first case of HIV was diagnosed, we cannot miss the stark writing on the wall: had the whole world depended only on the rich nations of the Global North, then we would have miserably failed to deliver lifesaving antiretroviral therapy to over 28.7 million people living with HIV by end of 2021. It will also become amply clear how vital remains the central driving force of key affected communities as well as the Global South in making medicines affordable and accessible. Rich nations have spurred health innovations indeed. But it is the people most at risk of HIV and the countries in the Global South that have made the dream partially come true of making these scientific breakthroughs reach those who are most in need.

Why people who are most-impacted by climate disasters get subtracted from policy making?

Publication launched at AIDS 2022 on the interlinkages and key issues including sexual and reproductive health and rights and bodily autonomy in differential vulnerability to climate change

[हिंदी] [watch the recording] An important publication launched at the opening day of world’s largest AIDS conference puts spotlight on not only the interlinkages between climate justice, gender equality and human rights, but also on differential vulnerabilities to climate change of people in Asia and the Pacific region.

Nothing about us, without us: Indigenous peoples lead from the front to #endAIDS

[watch the video interview | listen to the podcast] Indigenous peoples are among those in Canada where disproportionately high numbers of new HIV infections occur. Indigenous women are even more represented in those living with HIV. While Canada hosts the world’s largest AIDS conference (24th International AIDS Conference – AIDS 2022) in Montreal, it is facing the heat from human rights’ activists who say its funding for HIV has remained fixed at around Canadian dollars 73 million per year since 2008, while the number of people living with HIV in Canada has gone up by 25%. Though the demand for HIV services has risen but funding shortfall has forced many community-based initiatives to shut down.

ARROW for Change: Climate Justice in Planet A (हिंदी) aims to highlight the prevailing climate justice issues in our climate actions in the region. More specifically, it builds perspectives on the interlinkages and key issues including SRHR and bodily autonomy in differential vulnerability to climate change, looks into the status and issues in integration of women, girls and LGBTI people’s needs in climate change action with a specific focus on health and climate change, brings forth the voices of youth and their inter-generational concerns, and documents success stories and advocacy strategies that have led to just transitions in the Asia-Pacific region. click here to download

Latest UNAIDS data paint a grim picture of the HIV epidemic

A new report, In Danger, launched by UNAIDS just ahead of the 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022) in Montreal, Canada, paints a grim picture of the global HIV epidemic. It reveals that during the last two years, progress in prevention and treatment of HIV has slowed down and resources have shrunk, putting millions of lives at risk.

[video] Think again: Are children living with HIV growing into adults living fulfilling lives with dignity?

[podcast] Think again: Are children living with HIV growing into adults living fulfilling lives with dignity?

This podcast features Kaleshwar, a BCom student and mentor with Snehagram in Karnataka speaks not only about seemingly insurmountable challenges but also with the steely resolve and rocky grit with which he overcame them, and continues to do so. He is in conversation with CNS Executive Director Shobha Shukla who spoke to him around AIDS 2022 (24th International AIDS Conference) in Montreal, Canada.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[video] Gender-affirming care for transgender people is missing in universal healthcare

How will children living with HIV grow up normally when HIV-stigma still lurks?

Although over four decades have passed since the first case of HIV got diagnosed globally, and commendable progress has been made to help people living with HIV lead normal and fulfilling lives, yet HIV-related stigma and discrimination still lurks.

[podcast] Gender-affirming care for transgender people is missing in universal healthcare

Rena Janamnuaysook is among the featured plenary speakers of 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022). Rena is credited to establish the Tangerine Community Health Clinic, the first-transgender-led health clinic in the region. She is in conversation with CNS Managing Editor Shobha Shukla. Rena Janamnuaysook is also the co-founder of the Thai Transgender Alliance, the first transgender-owned human rights organization in Thailand.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

Gender-affirming care: Thailand's transgender people lead by example

[watch video interview] According to the article published in The Lancet last year, “transgender-specific data could benefit efforts in Asia to identify gaps in HIV response for transgender people.” Despite alarming evidence of high HIV incidence among key affected populations, such as transgender people, transgender-specific data related to HIV care cascade are scarce (and often merged with data for gay and other men who have sex with men). Countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia, that have used integrated biological and behavioural surveillance, show an increase in HIV prevalence among transgender people.

[podcast] Keep the promise: When will we end parent to child transmission of HIV?

This #AIDS2022 podcast features Dr BC Roy Awardee and noted HIV expert Dr Glory Alexander who is in conversation with CNS founder Managing Editor Ms Shobha Shukla. Dr Glory Alexander is part of organizing committee of AIDS 2022 (24th International AIDS Conference - AIDS 2022 - in Montreal, Canada) and also on Governing Council of AIDS Society of India (ASI). She is an alumni of the prestigious CMC (Christian Medical College) Vellore. She was part of the Bangalore Baptist Hospital before founding ASHA Foundation in the year 1998.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

Community monitoring uncovers gaps in HIV and hepatitis services in Indian state hard-hit by HIV, sparks reforms

Data gathered by the communities in Manipur is powering advocacy agenda to improve HIV and hepatitis services

Bobby Ramakant, Shobha Shukla

published in aidsmap

A review by people living with HIV and those who inject drugs of HIV and hepatitis services in the Indian state of Manipur highlights gaps in these services, and has also shaped an evidence-based advocacy agenda.

In the lead up to this year’s 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022), which is being held in Montreal, Canada, we at CNS (Citizen News Service) spoke to some young people who were born with HIV. They have overcome insurmountable challenges and obstacles in their childhood and adolescence, and are trailblazers for others, thanks to the support they got from Sneha Charitable Trust whose ‘I’mpossible’ programme, has improved the lives of these budding young adults of Snehagram across Southern India.

This podcast features a special guest, Dr Rosie Raj Kumari, who is the Manipur State Nodal Officer, National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, Government of India. She was in conversation with CNS Managing Editor and Executive Director Shobha Shukla, in lead up to 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022) in Montreal, Canada.

[video] Hepatitis and HIV data of Community Treatment Observatory bares gaps in services in Manipur

HIV care is essential and lifesaving, but not enough for living normal lives

Lifesaving antiretroviral therapy, as well as the full range of HIV care and support services are indeed essential but not enough to ensure that children and adolescents living with HIV can live a fully normal life. From getting education, vocational training, social and economic support, to pursuing careers of their choice and aspirations, the spectrum may differ from person to person but is surely much wider and deeper than the very essential HIV care services.

[हिंदी] Indefinite sit-in began on 21st July 2022 outside the offices of India’s AIDS programme of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to demand an end to the frequent stockouts of lifesaving HIV antiretroviral medicines. “We will not end the sit-in in Delhi outside the office of National AIDS Control Organization until there is a concrete action taken by the government to end the stockout, and our people in different states of India confirm that medicines have reached them,” said Hari Shankar Singh of Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP Plus).

[podcast] Hepatitis and HIV data of Community Treatment Observatory bares gaps in services in Manipur

This podcast features a special guest, Nalinikanta Raj Kumar, who has dedicatedly worked for the human rights of people with HIV and/or hepatitis in Manipur since several years now. He is also the President of Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) which played a key role in facilitating Community Treatment Observatories for hepatitis and HIV services in Manipur, with sterling support from International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) and TREAT Asia. Kanta is in conversation with CNS team of Shobha Shukla (CNS Managing Editor and Executive Director) and Bobby Ramakant, in lead up to 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022) in Montreal, Canada.

[podcast] Are we on track to #endAIDS among indigenous peoples in Canada and globally?

This podcast features Doris Peltier who is among the Plenary Speakers of #AIDS2022 (24th International AIDS Conference) in Montreal, Canada. She is in conversation with CNS founder, Executive Director and Managing Editor Shobha Shukla. Doris Peltier has been dedicatedly working with the indigenous HIV movement in Canada for over twenty years. She is also the Community Engagement Coordinator with the Feast Centre for Indigenous STBBI Research, at McMaster University.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[video] Never give up | Sports and physical activity is a #WayofLife for Babu Seenappa

[podcast] Never give up | Sports is a #WayofLife for Babu Seenappa

This podcast features Babu Seenappa, senior youth leader from Karnataka, India, is among the inspiring voices featured at the 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022) in Montreal, Canada. Babu shares about Snehagram and issues related to HIV, children and youth, and sports and physical activity. He is in conversation with CNS founding Managing Editor and Executive Director Shobha Shukla.

Pandemic treaty talks resume amidst lurking corporate pressure

Unless profiteering from illness stops, corporations which are becoming richer even during disasters and pandemics, will continue to pressure governments to not advance pro-people policies. 'Normalization' of minting unbridled profits from illness, is one of the reasons why health and social welfare programmes have failed to deliver equitably. Extractive industries and those that siphon of natural resources for profits of a few (while billions of people suffer devastating impacts of climate emergencies), also need to be held to account if we want treaties like the Pandemic Treaty to work in letter and spirit.

[video] Coordinated action is must to prevent NCDs, TB, hepatitis, and weight-gain associated with HIV medicines

[podcast] How can children living with HIV grow up normally if stigma reeks in society?

This podcast features Father Teji Thomas is the Director of Snehagram in Karnataka, India. He is in conversation with CNS Executive Director Shobha Shukla around AIDS 2022 (24th International AIDS Conference) in Montreal, Canada.

[video] #NothingIsImpossible | I'Mpossible mantra for children living with HIV to lead normal fulfilling lives

[podcast] #NothingIsImpossible | I'M Possible mantra for children living with HIV to lead normal fulfilling lives

This podcast features Dr Michael Babu Raj of Sneha Charitable Trust shares insights about I'M Possible Fellowship that is reimagining how we can support children living with HIV to grow up normally and live normal fulfilling lives in a society that gives them a fair chance with equity, rights, justice, and dignity. He is in conversation with CNS Executive Director Shobha Shukla around AIDS 2022 (24th International AIDS Conference) in Montreal, Canada. Dr Michael Babu Raj is the former Deputy Director of KHPT (Karnataka Health Promotion Trust).

New global plan launched to #endTB in next 101 months

Despite the promise by all countries to end TB by 2030 (and India to end TB by 2025), decline in TB rates and deaths is not steep enough to meet the target. Lot more action (and investment) needs to urgently happen if we are to #endTB in the next 101 months globally (and next 41 months in India). That is why, the global Stop TB Partnership has unveiled a new costed plan for the world to end TB, the second leading cause of death, after COVID-19, from a single infectious-disease agent.

Health emergencies and role of organized medicine

(published in Bulletin of Epidemiology Foundation of India, April-June 2022 issue)

Dr Suneela Garg, Dr Ishwar Gilada, Dr Sagar Galwankar, Shobha Shukla, Bobby Ramakant

When health emergencies occur it is the doctors and other healthcare providers who are on the frontlines in responding to the humanitarian and public health crises. These frontline responders often know best what the problem is and what effective and pragmatic solutions could help improve responses. Are these healthcare providers engaged to play a key role in shaping effective solutions that work in local contexts? Are different medical specialities who have a crucial role during emergencies and humanitarian crises, coordinating amongst themselves and with government and other agencies who are decision makers for the response?

Long-awaited goal of ensuring every child is born HIV-free

We cannot #endAIDS if we blindly depend on the Global North

[video] India's role in achieving 100-100-100 #endAIDS target in Global South