The 'Prathyasa' centres started in all districts in Kerala under the auspices of the Kerala State AIDS Control Society is a group movement, which imparts a message of hope to all HIV positive persons in the state. The 'Prathyasa' centres offer opportunities for HIV infected persons to be given counseling and to give direction to their life. The 'Prathyasa' centres also act as forums where HIV patients can air their problems and to obtain solutions to their problems.

More days under the shade of companionship

The intensity of HIV infection can now be controlled to a certain extent by effective medicines and careful treatment modes. HIV positive persons can lead long and healthy lives through Anti Retro-viral Treatment (ART). Thus, their life span can be extended from five to fifteen years. One cannot also rule out the possibility of the discovery of medicines, which can completely cure HIV infection, within this period.

The 'Prathyasa' centres have been started with the aim of providing better services to the HIV/AIDS patients in the State. The objectives of 'Prathyasa' centres are to impart counseling to the HIV positive persons in the State and enable them to lead objective lives, create awareness among the public about the treatment / diagnostic facilities available to HIV positive persons, co-ordination of the activities of various facilities in this sector and vocational training programmes for HIV positive persons.

The care of HIV infected people is the most challenging aspect in HIV/AIDS prevention. There are many people living with HIV/AIDS who hesitate to disclose their status due to fear of isolation and discrimination.