In a world where stigma still shadows many lives, Network of by People Living with HIV/AIDS, Sanstha Nandurbar stands as a beacon of care, dignity, and hope. Since its foundation in 2006, the organization has become a lifeline for thousands in Nandurbar district, offering not just treatment support, but a deep sense of belonging and purpose to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).What sets Sanstha Nandurbar apart is its community-driven model. This is not just an organization working for PLHIV — it is run by them. The governing council includes individuals who have been on the frontlines of HIV awareness and care for over 18 years.
Their lived experiences bring authenticity, compassion, and trust into every aspect of the organization’s work.At the heart of their work is the Vihaan Care and Support Center (CSC), launched in June 2013, which provides an integrated package of services to address the mental, physical, and social needs of HIV-positive individuals. Vihaan isn’t just a health center; it’s a home where people are treated with respect, not as patients but as partners in their own healing.
Key Services That Make a Difference
One of the primary strengths of the CSC is its home visit program. Outreach workers visit clients at their doorstep with prior consent, ensuring that even those who are bedridden, isolated, or unable to travel receive timely medical, nutritional, and emotional support. In cases of Missed or Lost to Follow-Up (LFU) clients, ART medicines are even delivered personally by health promoters — a gesture that saves lives and rebuilds trust.Beyond medical support, the organization recognizes the role of nutrition in managing HIV. Malnourished individuals, especially orphaned children and widowed women, receive food supplies tailored to help them stay strong.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, when access to resources became even more difficult, Sanstha Nandurbar distributed nutritional kits and school supplies, showing their deep commitment to continuity of care under any circumstances.Another critical component is advocacy. The team consistently works to influence policy and decision-making that directly impacts PLHIV, ensuring they are not left behind in government planning. From ensuring access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to helping clients secure their rightful benefits under schemes like Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, Shravan Bal Yojana, and BPL ration cards — Sanstha Nandurbar takes action where it counts.
A significant part of their success comes from strong linkages with government institutions, hospitals, legal services, and other NGOs. These partnerships enable smoother referrals and access to services such as TB treatment, STI care, de-addiction support, and legal aid. It’s about creating a complete safety net where individuals are supported from all directions — not just with medicine, but with dignity.
Sanstha Nandurbar also provides crucial support for social welfare and protection schemes. Many individuals living with HIV are unaware of the benefits they are entitled to or don’t know how to apply for them. The NGO steps in to bridge that gap — offering guidance, filling out forms, and even following up with government officials when needed.
Change doesn’t come just from services — it comes from changing mindsets. That’s why Sanstha Nandurbar invests heavily in creating an enabling environment. They work with local communities to challenge the stigma attached to HIV. Through awareness drives, school and college campaigns, de-addiction workshops, and street plays in local languages, the organization fosters understanding and compassion at the grassroots.
Community mobilization is another vital strategy. By encouraging individuals to form support groups and take collective action, the NGO empowers the community to speak for themselves, support each other, and demand their rights. This has helped shift the narrative from “patients” to “people” — individuals who are resilient, capable, and worthy of every opportunity.
The organization pays special attention to vulnerable groups — especially widowed women and orphaned children. Initiatives like Silai Machine Training provide economic empowerment to women who have lost their spouses. Children affected by HIV are not just given nutrition — they’re also supported in education, through school bags, notebooks, and emotional care.
What Sanstha Nandurbar has created over the past 18+ years is more than an NGO program — it’s a model of care that is inclusive, accessible, and deeply human. They understand that medicine alone isn’t enough. People need empathy. They need to be seen, heard, and supported in every aspect of life.
In every home visit, every pamphlet distributed, every support group formed — Sanstha Nandurbar plants the seed of hope. And for the thousands of lives it touches, that hope is often the beginning of healing.
