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NAPS get Southland International support
The Food Bank of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), yesterday benefitted from a quantity of non-alcoholic (Moussy), nutritional beverage products to support people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The donation came from Southland International Incorporated.
CEO of Southland International Mr Irzad Zamal handing over the Moussy beverage to Programme Manager of NAPS Dr Shanti Singh.
Programme Manager of the Secretariat, Dr Shanti Singh, noted that from the initial stage of the design of the food bank initiative, sustainability was given the highest attention. To this end she congratulated Food Bank Manager, Somdatt Ramessar, for the excellent work in moving this initiative from zero percent private sector contribution in 2007 to 41 per cent at the end of 2014.
Dr Singh congratulated the private sector for staying the course with this initiative, an indication of the levels of confidence that the private sector demonstrates in the work of the Secretariat. In reciprocity the Secretariat provides regular quarterly feedback to the Private Sector on the performance of the Food Bank importantly demonstrating that the support reaches and benefits people living with and affected by HIV.
The NAPS Programme Manager however, noted that persons must satisfy several criteria to become beneficiaries of the support. The eligibility is determined based on an assessment of the patient’s socio economic status as well as the patient’s clinical status.
Southland’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Irzad Zamal, said that it’s good to know that there is healthy long life still associated with being diagnosed HIV positive. He said that his company will continue to re-evaluate the possibility of their contribution being long term. He also called on his fellow private sector agencies to explore the possibility of coming on board with the Secretariat since he said they have a great role to play.
Moussy, which is a non-alcoholic beverage with origins in France, will benefit persons living with and affected with HIV and those co-infected with Tuberculosis. Last year, 937 new patients benefitted from food hampers from the Secretariat.
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