The Delhi government may soon provide new home for HIV positive children, who are orphans, for their growth in a healthy, non-discriminatory environment.

The Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS) under the Delhi government and National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) under the central government have tied up with various NGOs working with AIDS orphans like the NAZ foundation, Drone foundation and Chelsea, and few labour organisations to provide institutional care to these children.

“HIV positive children who have lost their parents to the disease and are living with their grandparents or other guardians who are economically and physically weak will be considered for this initiative. We have given the term orphaned vulnerable children (OVC) to these children,” said DSACS project director Faizi O Hashmi.

The Delhi government is taking inputs from various organisations on how to provide better institutional care to the affected children. The institutions they plan to set up will have facilities of food, shelter, medical aid and education for the OVC. The home will be set up a place where there is no stigma and the children are treated with respect.

“OVC need special care. Mostly these children live with old grandparents who cannot take care of the children’s schooling, nutrition and continuous treatment. We are trying to bring these children under institutional care,” said Hashmi.

But to take the children under these institutions, willingness of the grandparents would be needed, he added. If need be, the government may even take the guardian in the institution if they are willing to serve.

City’s mapping has already been done and over 400 children, below 14 years, have already been identified who are OVC. Final decision will be out in two to three weeks.