Solution Exchange, a joint UN Country Team Initiative in India has been able to create awareness, visibility and dialogue among the development partners on the key issues of the Millennium Development Goals. Singular in this effort has been the AIDS Community of Solution Exchange, which has completed two and a half year of its existence. A host of active members at every level in the community, be it line departments of the governments, NGO partners, academicians, and outreach workers, ensure depth and intensity in the dialogue over themes covering burning issues in HIV.

Dr. N. M. Samuel, Chair of the 5th AIDS India International Conference and Ms. Nafisa Ali launched the Solution Exchange Service for the AIDS Community on 21 October 2005 at Chennai. Since its first query, the AIDS Community of Solution Exchange has promoted effective networking, sharing knowledge and experience on ways to reduce the vulnerabilities of the High Risk Groups, establishing partnerships, strengthening interventions and creating trust among its members. The community has worked in harmony with NACO in NACP–III formulation. District administrations and the State AIDS Control Societies have translated the policies whetted by the community into action. To boost the Government participation a series of Regional Workshops were held in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Maharashtra and Kerala.  

As the community grows through its third year, it is able to capitalize on success, notably on the issues where it has influenced policy and advocated just thinking. These include Stigma and Discrimination, Sex Education, Mandatory Testing, Sex Workers Registration, Second line therapy, Intra-venous Drug Use, Roles of Faith Based Organizations, Confidentiality, Universal Access, Feminization of the epidemic, Condoms and Circumcision. A glance through the Consolidated Replies or the member feedback provides ample evidence.            

The AIDS community has strengthened the existing networks of positive persons and involved them either as peer advisors and educators or as resource persons in the discussions.  This has given them a platform to voice their opinions and a sense of self-esteem they needed.  The AIDS community will continue to work with community elders, religious leaders, PRI functionaries and the media. It will sensitize them on the spectrum of HIV issues from vulnerability reduction to treatment choices. It will build on their positive influence within the community to discuss, shape and carry forward the country's response to HIV.

The two Action Groups completed by the AIDS Community, namely that of  Denial, Stigma and Discrimination (DSD) with the Government of Gujarat and documenting the AIDS Competence Process in Northern Karnataka and Mizoram, demonstrates the successful translation of knowledge to implementing a pilot. The overarching philosophy of these Action Group remains transfer of knowledge so that there is successful replication by new members.

The AIDS Community looks set to face any challenges and constraints ahead. It has built a good niche with its specialized individualistic services. Therefore, the third year will allow for the creation of lasting structures that will sustain themselves.

Denis Broun
UNAIDS Country Coordinator
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
New Delhi