DISHA (Deep Griha's Integrated Service for HIV & AIDS)
Deep Griha’s involvement with HIV prevention in the city lies with DISHA. The programme is a HIV prevention, treatment, care and support programme working to target Marathi-speaking, local communities. Wake Up Pune, set up by volunteers in 2006 aims to spread DISHA's message further with a focus on the English speaking population and areas of the city.
DISHA offers a wide range of services for residents of both Tadiwala Road and Ramtekdi:-
· Nutrition programme for clients (two healthy meals a day, six days a week)
· Drop-in centre with recreation facilities
· Counselling services
· Home based care and support
· Treatment of opportunistic infections
· Referral services
· Weekly outpatient clinics (courtesy of Dr Madhu)
· Shelter home at Vishrantwadi
· Income generation programme (helping clients achieve financial sercurity)
· Voluntary HIV testing
DISHA’s moto ‘Positive Living’ gives People Living with HIV (PLHIV) an opportunity to relax and have fun events by being included in dances, competitions and music. DISHA currently helps over 200 clients.
The Stigma Chakra DISHA and Wake Up Pune recognise the importance of educating the public on HIV and AIDS to reduce stigma and discrimination attached in the virus. Wake Up Pune developed ‘The Stigma Chakra’ which demonstrates the negative role of silence surrounding HIV. The silence creates a cycle of ignorance, fear, stigma, discrimination which continues until it is broken.
DISHA and Wake Up Pune work to ‘Break the Silence’ by holding regular seminars, awareness drives, rallies and public street-plays. For more information on Wake Up Pune please see the website www.wakeuppune.org for more details.
