Saksham is a unique partnership between 38 academic institutions that are located in 24 states, NCR and one Union Territory of India. All the partner institutions are working in close coordination with the public health system, as part of their commitment to be socially relevant and responsive to national needs.

Collaborative processes with National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and the different State AIDS Control Societies (SACS), have been strengthened over the last two years with the aim of contributing positively to the HIV/ AIDS counselling programme in India.

Since the complex nature of HIV epidemic calls for a multidisciplinary, multi stakeholder and integrated response, the Saksham teams in partner institutions have been building close collaborations, networks, and alliances with experts from the field, NGOs, Positive People's Networks, civil society agencies and bilateral and multilateral organizations. These partnerships have been mutually beneficial for enhancing capacities, reviewing strategies, sharing insights, building resource materials, bridging gaps and organising campaigns, advocacy and outreach activities.

The Saksham programme has built strong public - public partnership. Partner institutions of higher learning that are under the Ministry of Human Resource Development are collaborating closely with NACO and SACS, that are part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, to strengthen the HIV/AIDS counselling programme in the country. The public-private partnership in Saksham has evolved with Tata Consultancy Services that has provided technical assistance and support to the programme.

Saksham respects the diversity and richness of local contexts, systems, experiences, as well as the strengths and challenges ensuing from all these partnerships.

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View Saksham partners' in action (Sept. 2008- July 2010) in visual format