Human Resources for Health in National AIDS Control Program At the District Level: Perspective in North-Eastern States of India

1. The Background

Committed to the Millennium Development Goal of halting and reversing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in India by 2012, National AIDS Control Organization recognized that the magnitude of the response to HIV epidemic under National AIDS Control Program-III cannot be managed centrally and was therefore decentralized to District level, with the “District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit” (DAPCU).

2. Methodology

This paper presents the uniqueness of the 8 north-eastern states of India and the various evolutionary process that has been commissioned to institutionalize the DAPCU and bring change in the service delivery in the state.

4. Findings

The 25 districts of the NE states were manned with expertise in Management and Finance. There is a dramatic increase in the convergent activities and mainstreaming. DAPCU Officials are now being identified as Master Trainer for training ASHA on HIV/ AIDS, STI etc and are part of all district meetings. The health facilities are harnessed to full potential due to constant supportive supervision. Data Analysis has been instrumental in equipping the district authorities to take meaningful action to decrease stigma and increase acceptability of PLHIV. District Action Plan has been developed, which formed the basis for State Annual Plan.

5. Proposal for actions.

Appreciating the importance of positioning of DAPCU at the district level, it is important to institutionalize better HR processes to ensure retention of the skilled and trained manpower. Continued increment, Periodic technical trainings, Exposure visit and cross sharing of experiences, Recognition as “Best performing DAPCU” can be promising in increasing the DAPCU’s motivation to work

6. Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to

• Identify the uniqueness of the 8 north-eastern states of India
• define the importance of human resource for effective service delivery
• describe various processes involved in placement and retention of quality human resource

Key words: HRH, HIV/AIDS, DAPCU, Capacity Building