One of the greatest strengths of NGOs in Tamil Nadu is their involvement and immediate response to HIV/AIDS within communities. Most of the NGOs now involved in AIDS work are AIDS specific organisations and also oriented to broader health or development goals of the community. TNSACS NGOs are likely to stay involved in their communities for a long time and will help to provide a sustainable response to the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

The individual with the joint strength of NGOs combine to merge them into a dynamic, multidimensional and potentially powerful force. HIV/AIDS has highlighted almost more than any other issue, the benefits of drawing on the wealth of experiences and expertise available in Tamil Nadu by investing, developing, and strengthening NGOs as a sector.

Throughtout Tamil Nadu NGOs have demonstrated that with appropriate support, they can reinforce one another's work, compliment the activities for other sectors and put effective pressure on the State to meet their objectives of controllling HIV/AIDS programme for the vulnerable communities.

TNSACS has implemented Targetted Intervention Programmes in a wider level with effective strategies by colloborative efforts of NGOs working for HIV/AIDS in Tamil Nadu. NGOs were placed in all districts of Tamil Nadu for bringing out behavioural change among the community to control HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The recommendation of the JART members will be placed before the Executive Committee for approval. After final selection, NGOs are asked to execute necessary Agreement Bond, including the budget and the performance Indicators, prepared by TNSACS. After getting the agreement bond, from the approved NGOs, first instalment being 50% of the sanctioned amount will be released. Then, the 50% of the second instalment will be released to the NGOs in the seventh month of the project period only after obtaining the reports such as

(1) Monthly report as per CMIS
(2) Inspection report by the JART members/Zonal officers.

At the end of the project period, certificate is obtained from Chartered Acountant and Quarterly/Annual report from the NGOs for the purpose of examining the extension of project proposals for the next year.

Totally today there are 112 ongoing NGOs getting financial assistance by TNSACS during 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 respectively. Sections are initially accorded for one year. Further extension year by year will be considered based on their performance.

TNSACS has 112 ongoing NGOs projects for the year 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 respectively for specific targetted intervention programmes which include 3 DFID Projects and 2 Community Care Centers. As far as TNSACS is concerned, 10% contribution of NGOs is invariably adopted as per the guidelines given by NACO regarding the funding procedures for NGOs (except financial assistance for PLWHS and Research Studies Projects). Besides, 20% NGO contribution is adopted for community Care Centres.

TNSACS has taken steps for the involvement of NGOs social mobilization and awareness among the rural population by conducting periodical Cluster Level Review Meetings in District level by the NGO (Advisor) of TNSACS. In addition to that, NGOs are instructed then and there to involve themselves by participating in the Family Welfare Awareness Campaigns and Siddha Medical Campaigns in the district levels.

Non govermental organizations have made significant contribution in the health sector by their innovative approach in the areas of public health, family welfare and in arresting the spread of communicable diseases. It is essential to continue to encourage the involvement of voluntary sector in HIV/AIDS. The AIDS control programme has recognized the importance of NGOs contribution in the programme for providing community support for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families and for providing the required care and counselling. NGOs bring with them their experience of community work in enhancing people's participation by adopting an interpersonal approach with sensitivity and thus benefit the HIV/AIDS programme immensely.

TNSACS enhances large scale involvement and participation of NGO/CBOs in the following manner:

Involvment of NGOs at the policy making level through regular interaction and adequate representation at the State level bodies.

Extending their participation to new areas like provision of medical facilities like home-based care, opening of community care centers apart from the conventional areas of awareness, counselling, and targetted interventions among risk groups.

Greater efforts to take training and capacity building programmes for the NGOs to empower them to take up these additional facilities.

Adopting local level monitoring and guidance through District Collector's, Joint Director of Health Services and Deputy Director of Health Services.

Independent evaluation of the NGOs intervention which will enable in planning for the sustainable implementation of the programmes. Periodical evaluation takes place once in three years subsequently to analyze the track of NGOs performances.

Enhancing community participation to create an enabling environment, create ownership of the whole HIV/AIDS prevention activities in the District and State level.

Encourage networking and periodical updating of guidelines issued by NACO for involvement of NGOs to facilitate greater participation of NGOs and for better accountability.