SONTHAM

SONTHAM – Care and Support Centre for PLHAs: 

TSSS in collaboration with national and international organizations sensitizes the public and high-risk groups on HIV/AIDS prevention and Care and Support. It has also built a Care and Support Centre (SONTHAM) at V.M.Chathiram for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS. It offers residential treatment cum care. Counseling and psycho-social support are also important components of the programme.

Sensitization Program on Clinical Care and Support: 

As HIV/AIDS pandemic is spreading like wild fire, it is the need of the hour to sensitize the public and our stakeholders. To begin with TSSS organizes training programs to the Reverend Sisters of Catholic Health Association of Palayamkottai Diocese (CHAPD). 

The Care and Hope Centre was blessed and opened by Most.Rev.Jude Paulraj, the Bishop of Palayamkottai on 20th August 2009. A formal inauguration was done on 25.10.2009. 

SONTHAM is well managed by the nuns who work round the clock. From October 2009 onwards, the Health Centre began to function. HIV/AIDS infected persons were admitted to SONTHAM. During the past 6 months, 66 in-patients were admitted. All of them were given nutritious diet. Treatment is carried out with the guidance of the visiting Doctor. He also made some referral services for intake of ART (Anti-viral Retro Therapy) to the nearby government ART Centre. Necessary medicines for the in-patients were procured and distributed. The care takers and family members were given counseling. 

Mobile Care Unit: 

This is a part of the Care and Hope Cetnre, SONTHAM. It consists of the visiting doctor, hired lab technician, a counselor and a nurse. They make use of the services of the staff, volunteers, health workers, Nuns of CHAPD. They organize and mobilize women and adolescents for collection of blood samples, distribution of medicines, making referral services, offering counseling, orientation and motivation to adolescents for testing. 

Support Group Formation: 

Persons infected with HIV/AIDS often feel dejected and isolated. The problem of misconception, discrimination and social stigma is highly prevalent in the Indian society. Hence formation of support group was felt important. So far 19 Support groups have been formed with PLHAs.