Integrating Nutrition with Care, Support and Treatment of HIV Patients in Tamil Nadu Project

Project Overview

GAIN supported the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society and World Food Programme to establish a model for integrating nutrition as part of the antiretroviral treatment for HIV patients in Tamil Nadu, the southern state of India. A nutrient dense fortified blended food was used as part of a total care package that also included nutrition counseling. Tamil Nadu is one of the states with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in India. The Government of Tamil Nadu procured micronutrient fortified food supplements through a competitive bidding process.

Goal

The goal of this project was to delay the disease progression among HIV patients in Tamil Nadu and integrate nutrition as an essential component of the HIV/AIDS care

Impact

The project provided 25,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Tamil Nadu with nutrient dense blended food.

Achievements

The initiative has become a model for integrating nutrition and nutrition counseling into existing HIV prevention, care and treatment and mitigation efforts. As a result of its success, the National AIDS Control Organization has already initiated steps to include nutrition as part of the National AIDS Control Program.

Duration

The project period was from September 2006 to August 2009.