New York, February 28, 2009 – Representatives for the FEZANA-UN-NGO team, Kamalrukh Katrak, Farah Minwalla, Deena Patel, and Trity Pourbahrami, will present a workshop at the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women in March 2009.
Success Stories in Care Giving for HIV and AIDS from South Asia
March 4, 2009 at 10am in the
Grumman Room, Church Center
777 1st Ave, New York, NY
The session will showcase innovative programs at the recognized HIV/AIDS treatment facility, Bel-Air Hospital in Panchgani, India. Bel-Air Hospital was started in 1912 by Rustomji Billimoria to treat TB patients. The hills of Panchgani provided the ideal location for a health resort, where fresh air and beautiful views are readily available. Now a project of the Indian Red Cross Society and managed by the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, a Catholic congregation, Bel-Air has become a full fledged hospital and community care giving facility. Since 1994 when the first patients living with HIV were admitted, they have been successful in overcoming the associated stigma and discrimination. Their mission is to provide affordable, nondiscriminatory care to people living with HIV. Bel-Air’s ability to involve the community and the family members in the care of their patients is key to this success. The session will discuss how Bel-Air has been able to accomplish this. In addition, this institution is home to a college of nursing which is one of the first of its kind to focus on HIV & AIDS care in nursing education. Links to further information on Bel-Air is available at fezana.pbwiki.com.
About FEZANA
Founded in 1987, FEZANA serves as the coordinating body for 26 Zoroastrian associations throughout the United States and Canada. FEZANA promotes the study, understanding and practice of the Zoroastrian faith. For more information visit: www.fezana.org.
About The United Nations
The United Nations is central to global efforts to solve problems that challenge humanity. Cooperating in this effort are more than 30 affiliated organizations, known together as the UN system. For more information visit: www.un.org.
