OUR FORMATION STORY

Network in Thane by People Living with HIV/AIDS (NTP+) was formed as a Public Charitable Trust registered in October 2004 under ‘The Societies Registration Act, 1860’ to address issues and concerns of marginalized excluded populations such as People Living with HIV (PLHIV). 

NTP+ was envisioned by a group of committed men and women from Thane district living with HIV and keen to improve the overall health status of PLHIV by advocating for their effective care, support, and treatment. Since its inception as a Community Based Organisation (CBO), the network members realized that the people living with HIV are entitled to the same human rights as everyone else, including the right to access appropriate services, self-determination, and participation in decision-making that affect their quality of life and give them emancipation from discrimination. 

NTP+ mobilises people living with HIV and AIDS for their rights, welfare, and support for positive living and ensures the confidentiality of its members. The membership is open to all people living with HIV in the jurisdiction of Thane District, irrespective of class, caste, religion, gender, and sexuality. At the district level, NTP+ was not only engaged in supporting different National AIDS Control Programmes but also developed and piloted a number of grounded programmes for the overall development of PLHV. The network also took up the challenge of promoting gender equality by engaging both men and women in the process. 

NTP+ TODAY

Over the last eighteen years, NTP+ has strengthened its ability to influence the direction of mainstreaming the issues and concerns of PLHIV in Maharashtra by strengthening the capacity of network members and encouraging new leadership at different levels of organizational and network building. NTP+ today has a competent team with expertise in community mobilization, networking, livelihood generation and healthcare management and strong relationships with various networks, organisations, and key stakeholders in the state. Over the years, the activities of NTP+ have evolved in view of the changing context but in consonance with its aims and objectives. Using a range of strategies including community engagement, advocacy, and networking the network, NTP+ has created a place for itself both at the district- and state-level platforms and forums in the healthcare, livelihood, and community empowerment domain. Today, the network has its presence either through a partnership or in field interventions in 34 districts of Maharashtra. NTP+ was awarded the Bhim Ratna Award by Maharashtra Government in 2022 for exceptional work in the field of social inclusion and health.