CB BureauEvaluation by National Aids Control Organization (NACO) says that non-government organizations (NGOs) in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra have not been able to meet key parameters to prevent spread of HIV or AIDS. The organization termed the NGOs’ efforts as ‘failure’.
Eight NGOs handling about 13 projects in Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Jalna were found guilty on various counts. The NGOs include Humsafar (Mumbai), Marathwada Gramin Vikas Sanstha, Udaan Trust & Prerna Samajik Sanstha (Aurangabad), Setu Charitable Trust (Jalna), Indian Red Cross Society, Indian Institute of Youth Welfare, and Sarathi Trust (Nagpur). These organizations get annual grants amounting to Rs 2 crore-Rs 3 crore. They were found guilty of wrong or zero maintenance of financial records, fabrication of disease data, inactiveness in spreading awareness, and not carrying out routine checks for STD infections.
The Humsafar Trust that was handling three projects in Mahim, Mulund, and Mankhurd was found lacking in its efforts to spread awareness and propagate safe sex practices among men having sex with men (MSM group). The report maintained that 10 of 13 projects had failed completely.
Although NACO has not made any official statement, the organization’s official who accessed the report told The Times of India that NGOs had failed to bring about any behavioural change in their targeted groups. The NGOs failed to ensure that those with high chances of HIV infection went for tests every six months. The source said that many of these NGOs had not visited their project areas in months.