The idea of KMPPSS was conceived in 2005, when a group of 14 PLHIV in Warangal came together, driven by their own experiences of having faced stigma and discrimination by their families and by the society. To make our voices heard, we registered as a CBO under the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act 35 of 2001.
Adherence to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) treatment and support services are crucial for People Living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, we also need to learn to manage side effects and opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis (TB). The challenges faced by the community, particularly for the poor and the marginalized, are further exacerbated by the HIV related stigma, and the structural and economic barriers in accessing healthcare services.
Our first priority was advocating for better health services at the district level through sensitization of the district authorities and the health care staff. By means of mobilizing the community, we worked towards sensitizing them and demanding our right to receive ART services in a responsive, non-discriminatory setting. We have successfully worked towards developing an enabling environment for the community through a collaborative approach that brought together the varied stakeholders in the district – the community, the govt. and the civil society.
Currently, 8768 PLHIV and 383 CLHIV are registered with KMPPSS.
We are affiliated with the network of Telangana People Living with HIV/AIDS (NTP), Telangana and the Indian Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS (INP+), Chennai
At present, KMPPSS is being mentored and provided with technical assistance by Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project of Family Health International 360 (FHI 360) through LEPRA Society on organizational development and on sustaining services to PLHIV community.