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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Winner of the 2012 Dignity & Right to Health Award

This World AIDS Day We are delighted to announce that the joint winners of the 2012 Dignity and Right to Health Award is held jointly by Dr Saira Paulose of SHALOM Delhi and Drs Isac and Vijila David of Prem Jyoti Community Hosptial, Jharkhand, India.

The "Dignity and Right to Health Award" is an international award established to address health and development issues including HIV. The "Dignity and Right to Health Award" is an activity of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA) Leadership in Christian Health and Development Initiative.

The nominations this year were:

1. Beacon of Hope Kenya  - www.beaconafrica.org

2. Dr. Pratibha Esther Singh of India - http://bchtezpur.hpage.in/

3. Dr. Saira Paulose of India  - http://shalomdelhi.org/

4. Drs. Isac & Vijila David of India - Prem Jyoti Community Hospital

Each represents an example of compassionate and innovative outreach to marginalised communities, and it has been a great challenge to choose between them.


Drs Isac & Vijila David have clearly demonstrated visionary and innovative leadership from the time they graduated as Family Physicians by stepping out in faith to take on a very difficult, yet rewarding role among a diminishing people group called Maltos in a very remote and neglected area in Jharkhand, India. On their exploration within the context of their call and vocation over fifteen years ago, they found the need to step in to change the course of life for these people.

Dr. Saira Paulose leads the SHALOM Delhi HIV/AIDS Unit of the Emmanuel Hospital Association of India. Dr. Saira through her quiet leadership has knit together a team which has significantly impacted many HIV-affected individuals and families, both directly, and also indirectly through training of other organizations for home based care, and other HIV-related interventions (including clinical care).

The majority of SHALOM's Home Based Care program beneficiaries are of migrant origin (neighboring States) and live in poverty stricken communities in North West Delhi, SHALOM's area of focus. Stigma and discrimination are still a very live issue, as attested to by case stories that continue to emerge from SHALOM's work.

Further details of these inspiring lives can be shared by visiting
www.icmdahivinitiative.org