One of the most important contributions EHA has made to the national health services is its pioneering work in HIV/AIDS management. EHA AIDS has been involved in research, counseling, prevention and care projects since 1995, with many groups including IDUs, sex workers and migrants. Training in clinical management, nursing management, whole person care, behavior change, home based care, community based care, palliative care, counseling, project planning and management, and infection control were programs taken up during the past nine years.

EHA's Vision for HIV/AIDS
Emmanuel Hospital Association is firmly convinced that beyond the appalling figures and estimates of HIV's spread in India lies the reality that HIV/AIDS is a concrete set of challenges faced by real people in our communities. Any response to HIV/AIDS thus must focus on the people themselves.

The last two decades has shown the devastating effects HIV/AIDS has on families. At the same time much of the spread of HIV/AIDS is clearly the result of unhealthy and oppressive relationships. Yet, despite these truths, the vast majority of HIV prevention and care activities remain focused on individuals.

The problems of HIV/AIDS thus affect real people in deep, inter-linked ways that seem almost intractable. However, we believe that through the integrated ministry of EHA we have a unique ability to address these important issues. Where many see seemingly impossible problems, we also see hope. Hope for change and hope for healing and wholeness. We take as our foundation and strength the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus, who healed sick people and made them whole. As his followers, we seek to provide the same caring ministry in all areas of life and society that need reconciliation. Our firm belief is that the only way to address HIV/AIDS is to take it very seriously, but to do this through holistic community-based service.

We in EHA feel that we are especially equipped to deal with HIV/AIDS in a pro-active way through healthy behavior promotion as well as through whole-person care, both in the context of positive family relationships. EHA works through a set of hospitals and community health programs, which provide primary and secondary medical, care as well as integrated development in some of the most underserved parts of India. We are confident that EHA has the quality staff and the ability to develop important ways of preventing the further spread of HIV, lessening its impact on our communities and providing appropriate and compassionate care for people with HIV.