Link Worker Scheme

The Link Workers Scheme is a community-centric, evidence-based initiative designed to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS in rural areas. By leveraging local resources, creating demand for services, and fostering a stigma-free environment, the scheme aims to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations while ensuring sustainable access to prevention, care, and support services.

Objectives

• Build a Rural Community Model - Address the complex needs of rural HIV prevention, care, and support in selected geographies by creating a sustainable community-based approach.
• Reach Vulnerable Populations - Provide HIV/AIDS prevention and care services to rural populations at risk in a non-stigmatized and enabling environment.
• Improve Access to Resources - Enhance access to information, commodities (e.g., condoms, needles/syringes), testing, and treatment services by collaborating with Targeted Intervention (TI) programs and government health facilities, ensuring no duplication of efforts.
• Facilitate Linkages to Social and Health Benefits - Connect vulnerable populations to social and health benefits offered by other government departments, aligning with local norms and regulations.

Features

Evidence-Based Approach

• Use scientific tools like broad mapping to identify high-risk rural areas and vulnerable groups.
• Conduct detailed situation needs assessments to tailor interventions effectively.

Demand Creation and Service Linkages

• Generate demand for HIV/AIDS-related services without creating new service delivery points.
• Link target populations to existing services for prevention, testing, and treatment.

Community-Driven Implementation

• Deploy highly motivated and trained community members as Cluster Link Workers (male or female) for clusters of villages.
• These workers act as bridges between the community and essential information, commodities, and services.

Stigma-Free Environment

Foster an enabling and stigma-free environment to ensure sustained access to HIV/AIDS information and services.

Interdepartmental Linkages

• Collaborate with ASHA volunteers, anganwadi workers, panchayat heads, and MNREGA officials to identify and address vulnerabilities.
• Build the capacity of ground-level stakeholders to support HIV/AIDS prevention and care efforts.

Financial Year	Migrant	OVP (Orphan & Vulnerable Population)	FSW (Female Sex Workers)	Truckers	ICTC tested	Positive Patient	Budget
2016 - 17	27729	20693	525	389	7343	23	4247950
2017 - 18	26554	18326	420	331	6627	35	5600000
Total	54282	39019	945	720	13970	58	9847950

Geographical Coverage – Block Wise

SL	Purba Medinipur District	Hooghly district.
1	Haldia	Khanakul - I
2	Mahishadal	Khanakul - II
3	Sutahata	Arambagh
4	Nandigram I	Singur
5	Nandigram II	Goghat II
6	Chandipur	Haripal
7	Tamluk	Dhaniyakhali
8	Kolaghat	Pursura
9	Nandakumar	Srirampur-Uttarpara
10	Panskura	Chanditala - I
11	Patashpur I	Chanditala - II
12	Bhagwanpur I	Jangipara
13	Bhagwanpur II	Balagarh
14	Egra I	Polba Dadpur
15	Contai I	Pandua
16	Contai II	Chinsurah-Mogra
17	Contai III
18	Ramnagar I