'Womb of Compassion' - First Isha Community Care Center Opens for People Living with HIV/AIDS

29 December, 2008

Following the success of the Isha Yoga Inner Engineering and awareness programs for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) in 2007, Isha Foundation is going a step further to alleviate their suffering in Tamil Nadu through the creation of Community Care Centers named ‘Womb of Compassion.'

"Suffering is suffering, whatever may have been the cause for it. It is not right to think that if one suffers from cancer you should give him love and if another suffers from HIV/AIDS you must not give him love. If our humanity is functional, when someone is suffering, we spontaneously feel we ought to do something about it.

Clearly compassion cannot choose…"

-Sadhguru

On 28 December 2008, Isha Foundation in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS) opened the first Community Care Center (CCC) at Palladam, Tirupur district.

Dr. Krishnamurthy, Former Director Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, gave the welcome address. Dr. Mary, Joint Director of Health Services, Dr. Vijayalakshmi, Deputy Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Dr. Mahadevan, Professor, Sexually Transmitted Infections Department also spoke on the occasion.

Mr. Vijayakumar, Project Director, TANSACS, inaugurated the Center. He said he was glad that a CCC will be operational in this area to benefit 2000 PLHAs and called upon HIV-infected persons to make use of this facility. He further expressed his wish that Isha's CCC would become a model center.

Isha Foundation's CCC aims not only to provide medical treatment but also to empower people infected with HIV through Isha Yoga Inner Engineering programs and guide them towards a healthy way of living. The Center offers outpatient facilities for consultations about illnesses related to AIDS and treatment of opportunistic infections, and a 10 bedded ward for inpatient care. It will also act as a link to other government and private hospitals, drop-in centers, sexually transmitted infection clinics, family planning clinics, faith-based organizations and other service providers.

Additionally, there will be counseling services for patients on issues such as drug adherence, nutrition, family planning, use of contraceptives and positive living. The Center will also cater to other psycho-social needs of patients by advocating against social stigma, linking them to legal support, offering vocational guidance, recreational activities and yoga programs.

The Center is staffed by a team of trained doctors, nurses, counselors and outreach workers. The intention and goal of this initiative by Isha Foundation under the umbrella of Action for Rural Rejuvenation is to create a conducive atmosphere for HIV positive individuals to live with dignity and joy and be free of fear and ostracism.

Contact no: 9840804496