According to the data from Shenyang’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 1st December 2006, Shenyang has discovered a total of 260 cases of HIV infection and AIDS patients. Although our city is not within the epidemic areas, our yearly infection rates are increasing at 60%. The modes of transmission were mainly through sexual activities, of which a huge proportion was made up of infection amongst the MSM community. This proportion is increasing yearly as well. Most of the infected patients are in their adult years.
The MSM population, including those who have tested HIV positive, is a particularly vulnerable group of people; They may be unable to gain acceptance in work and life due to their sexual identity, and may not disclose their HIV positive status due to fear of further stigma and discrimination. Their unspoken pain could not be verbalized even when they are amongst their relatives and friends. Such long-term suppression of feelings could lead to occasional high risk sexual behaviour including: multiple sexual partners.
At the moment, Liaoshen area does not have any organization working towards helping those in the MSM Community who have tested positive for HIV. As such, the affected men have one less avenue to release pressures. There is a lack of space or platform for them to interact and exchange treatment and prevention information and policies.
We hoped that this project could improve the HIV infected MSM quality of life through the provision of personal psychological counseling and peer education.
Organization’s Name:
Dongbei HIV Infected MSM Alliance Assistance Centre
Organization’s Objective:
To build a support system based on love and concern for the Dongbei district’s HIV infected population. Our objective is to provide a platform for consultation, intervention, treatment and advocacy for this community. We hope to help in resolving their practical and daily problems, such as access to medication and job issues of the floating population, funds for opportunistic infection, apply for hardship allowance and poverty relief, processing of the medical claim for inability to work and referral for appropriate treatment, and more.
Target Population:
Dongbei district’s HIV Infected MSM community which includes: patients, their family members and those who are affected by HIV/AIDS.
Working Guidelines:
Using Shenyang city as a base, while radiating to the Dongbei district, to have a centre to improve the quality of life through the provision of emotional support, education on prevention and treatment, care and concern as well as advocacy for the HIV infected patients, their family members and those in the community affected by HIV/AIDS.
Work Details:
1. Psychological support for the infected patients and their family members;
2. Provide information on prevention, control, treatment and home care;
3. Provide infected patients with care and support (palliative care, labour assistance);
4. Legal aid and AIDS policy advocacy.
Organization Outline:
Main Cooperation Unit: (not according to sequence)
Shenyang CDC (technical support unit)
Liaoningprovince’s Redcross (Project support)
Liaoning’s Catholic Social Service Centre (Project support)
Beijing Ditan Home of Loving Hearts (Volunteer support)
Shenyang Firefly (Women) Group (Volunteer support)
Dongbei HIV Infected MSM Alliance Assistance Centre
Contact number：024-82575107
Email ：qige20070707@hotmail.com
Mailing Address：沈阳市沈河区南乐郊路40号
Postal Code：110011
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