Dr Chinmoyee Das, a senior official from the Government of India's National AIDS Control Organisation, patiently and sensitively listened to the voices of the young - and responded to every issue they had collectively raised. A bold and visionary conversation between youth and key policymakers at National Youth Conclave 3.0 focussed on building safer, healthier, and more inclusive futures.
Make a difference by engaging youth meaningfully, genuinely at all levels of HIV responses
Youth Lead Voices connects over 1,860 young people living with HIV across India. All of them (100%) have undetectable viral load since last one year, confirms Pooja Mishra, National Coordinator of Youth Lead Voices (YLV) and General Secretary of National Coalition of People Living with HIV in India (NCPI Plus).
Undetectable viral load means that the person lives healthy, and according to the WHO, there is zero risk of any further HIV transmission - so treatment works as prevention too.
"We have to maintain viral load undetected status for all of them while we expand our network and impact," said Pooja Mishra.
Young people are essential partners in designing, implementing and monitoring effective solutions to health and social challenges they face - with support from the government and all other stakeholders.
"We need to explore new entry points for reaching the at-risk youth community for offering voluntary HIV counselling and testing. We also need to strengthen youth-friendly screening strategies among youth including community-based screening for HIV. We should continue providing peer-support and active engagement with them to maintain optimal treatment adherence among young people living with HIV," added Pooja Mishra.
Tanmay, an energetic leader of Youth Lead Voices, moderated the session. Anurag- another talented leader of Youth Lead Voices, expressed his personal experiences and journeys using poetry and recital medium. Anurag hails from Uttar Pradesh state of India, who was first diagnosed with HIV in 2009 at the age of 9. He shared what he felt back then after getting diagnosed: a feeling of hopelessness and despair. It was only when he connected with peer networks of people living with HIV such as NCPI Plus, his life inched back towards positive and healthy living. He now supports others to stay healthy with a positive outlook towards life - because science has made it possible for every person with HIV to live healthy, normal and meaningful lifespans - just like anyone else (comparable to those with no HIV). Moreover, when viral load is undetectable, then virus stops spreading and person lives healthy.
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