Anandi Yuvaraj steps down as Global Fund board member
16 January 2006
Anandi Yuvaraj, Senior Programme Officer at the India HIV/AIDS Alliance, is to step down as the Global Fund board representative of communities living with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Since 2003 Anandi has headed the communities’ delegation, which is committed to ensuring the greater impact of the Global Fund at community level. The delegation brings the voices and needs of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to Global Fund board deliberations and committees. Anandi will officially transfer her position to Francoise Ndatishimiye in April 2006.
Diagnosed positive in 1997, Anandi has played a vital role in broadening political and social responses to the epidemic. She has demonstrated professionally and diplomatically the needs and objectives of local communities.
Anandi began her work by setting up a local organisation to support others living with HIV in her local community, which continues to be strong and effective. Through her participation in various forums that address the greater and positive involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS, Anandi has been instrumental in mobilising communities affected by HIV/AIDS to raise their voices, needs and concerns to build and strengthen supportive environments.
Anandi has been a mentor to many and has demonstrated the need for all of us to remain clear on vision. During her tenure, the Global Fund communities delegation took the initiative to strengthen its participation within the Global Fund through systematising a selection and induction process, formalising communication, and monitoring the effectiveness of delegation members.
In her work with the Alliance, Anandi will continue providing technical support in designing and implementing the Home and Community Based Care and Support Programme in three States in India. She is also a member of the national advisory board of the Indian chapter of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Indian National AIDS Control Organisation. Additionally, she is serving as a steering committee member, advising the development of national strategies for phase III of the National AIDS Control Programme in India. She also serves as an active member of the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS and numerous other international groups.
The commitment, determination and professionalism that have underpinned Anandi’s work with the Global Fund board — and her wider work with the Alliance — have been an enormous inspiration to many of us around the world.
MANY THANKS, Anandi.
