Projects / Programs
THE NEED FOR SAHAS PROJECTS/PROGRAMS:
The K.J. Somaiya Hospital identified a dire need for community outreach with a behavioral focus on HIV/AIDS in direct response to addressing the needs of ever-increasing HIV positive OPD and hospital patients.
In 2003, when SAHAS was started, Somaiya Hospital was one of the only private hospitals in Mumbai that did not discriminate or turn away any patient on the basis of his/her HIV status.
HIV Counseling by Our Trained Staff
One-on-one confidential sessions are brief overviews on healthy sexual practices, as well as providing a safe atmosphere to openly ask questions regarding this highly tabooed subject.
Each HIV test result is delivered by SAHAS trained professionals. In addition, each patient is given ongoing access to all SAHAS programs and resources.
"Project Asha (Urban Slum Communities Outreach)
Project Asha works towards tackling the cause of the HIV/AIDS problem through basic health education in various forms.
Operating through the Somaiya Hospital, Project Asha imparts psychological and nutritional counseling to reduce the vulnerability and suffering of affected families by initiating new avenues and opportunities such as skill training for sustainable income generation.
Every day, our health workers with support from community volunteers work together to ensure that affected families are receiving appropriate services.
The Home-based Care Program
/Supplementary Nutrition
SAHAS is proud to be one of the pioneers in establishing a supplementary nutritional program.
Along with nutrition, caregivers are trained by SAHAS in basic health and hygiene practices. SAHAS health workers also provide basic nutritional guidance and monitor health status of PLHAs (People Living with HIV/AIDS)
PCP - Skills Development for Income Generation
SAHAS understands the various ways in which HIV positive/AIDS status can affect families. Often, one or both parents become incapacitated by the disease, it directly impacts the family income. SAHAS created this program to provide sustainability to the supplementary nutrition program where beneficiaries are phased out at the end of a one year period.
The Positive Community Polytechnic (PCP) was set up with support from the K.J. Somaiya Polytechnic. It offers skill development in tailoring, embroidery, bag making, Mehndi tattooing, and crochet for affected family members. SAHAS assists these women in securing work through the Pragati Program. (See below)
Link: sifesimsr.blogspot.com
The Self Help Group (The Pragati Project)
This group of women has come together to jointly run income-generating activities. They are all graduates of SAHAS’ PCP program. Prerna, which means “inspiration” in Hindi, works to create a state of economic self-reliance by re-entering part of their earnings back into the group to ensure sustainability and credit-worthiness. The next stage of this project is to avail of micro finance from a nationalized bank that will give them a platform to expand operations.
Since the individual beneficiaries of the supplementary nutrition program is phased out at the end of one year, the nutritional practice cultivated over the one year period is sustained with increased income levels as members of the Pragati Project.
Affected Children's Education Program
(The Nareshwadi School)
As a result of Project Asha’s impact, the community helped SAHAS identify affected children in need of a home. Inspired by the founder, K.J. Somaiya’s guiding principles of helping the disadvantaged, a residential school was founded at Nareshwadi. SAHAS recognized The Nareshwadi School as an ideal haven for these vulnerable children to be looked after.
Link: www.nareshwadi.org
HIV Education and Awareness Project(s)
Throughout the year, SAHAS arranges and coordinates street plays and awareness programs in collaboration with the K.J. Somaiya Medical College, K.J. Somaiya Nursing School and MDACS.
Each activity and program works to address stigma and myths related to HIV/AIDS.
World AIDS Day, Celebrating Life Event
Each year, this event/get together of PLHAs, doctors, nurses, medical support staff of Somaiya Hospital come together to celebrate life.
The PLHAs look forward to the annual, jovial event. Children are given toys, and families are given sweets as all share a nutritious meal together.
It is an opportunity for participants to share their inspiring stories and celebrate their wellbeing with others.