Publication
We have developed in-house capacity and expertise to research, develop and design publications and print materials aimed at specific audiences for specific purposes. Our design section consists of copy writers, web designers, graphic designers and photographers. We follow strict ethical guidelines, including consent and confidentiality of the subjects quoted, interviewed or photographed.
Operational Research
Project Reports
Other Publications
Operational Research
Is key to informing programs of changing trends and emerging challenges in order to respond timely and effectively.
Information and data collected by us over the last ten years has contributed to the National Data on drug use related HIV in Pakistan. Our findings and recommendations based on Rapid Situational Assessments, studies, research and regular analysis of our MIS data has informed policy, catalysed resource mobilisation in country and Regionally.
Feb 2018
Pakistan is a high tuberculosis (TB) burden country, moving from low human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence to a concentrated epidemic driven primarily by people who inject drugs (PWID). The Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence Unit (AAU) in Islamabad, Pakistan, is a residential facility that offers combined treatment for opioid dependence and HIV.
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: This retrospective study was conducted to assess TB prevalence among HIV infected PWID referred to the AAU and to evaluate the diagnostic value of cough as a screening symptom. A single sputum sample was collected regardless of symptoms, and examined using smear, Xpertw MTB/ RIF and culture.
An Independent Evaluation Report
April 2016
Pakistan is a high tuberculosis (TB) burden country, moving from low human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence to a concentrated epidemic driven primarily by people who inject drugs (PWID). The Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence Unit (AAU) in Islamabad, Pakistan, is a residential facility that offers combined treatment for opioid dependence and HIV.
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: This retrospective study was conducted to assess TB prevalence among HIV infected PWID referred to the AAU and to evaluate the diagnostic value of cough as a screening symptom. A single sputum sample was collected regardless of symptoms, and examined using smear, Xpertw MTB/ RIF and culture.
A therapeutic community facility that aims to improve HIV treatment outcomes for people who inject drugs in Pakistan
April 2016
The ART Adherence Unit (AAU) is a residential rehabilitation facility for HIV+ PWID that combines treatment for opioid dependence with HIV treatment adherence support. It aims at stabilising the client so that HIV treatment becomes a realistic and achievable proposition for them. After just over two years of operation it has achieved considerable success in increasing the flow of PWID into the HIV treatment programme.
The facility is operated by Nai Zindagi, the civil society PR for the Global Fund HIV grant in Pakistan. It operates in the context of an HIV epidemic that is primarily driven by PWID but where treatment coverage for this population is very low. Previous studies have revealed very high rates of loss to follow up for PWID initiating treatment and this has lead to a very cautious and restrictive approach to treatment initiation based on anticipated treatment failure.
The Hidden Truth – Nepal
A study of HIV vulnerability, risk factors and prevalence among the wives and intimate partners of men who inject drugs. (Kathmandu), Nepal.
June 2011
In Nepal injecting drug use is recognised as a significant driver of the HIV epidemic due to high levels of needle/syringe sharing and insufficient coverage of HIV prevention services. Previous studies have assessed people who inject drugs as a “most at risk population”, and have missed the opportunity to understand the related risks and vulnerability of their wives, intimate partners, children and communities. The “Hidden Truth – Nepal” has revealed previously unrecognised risks and vulnerability of wives, intimate partners and children of men who inject drugs in Kathmandu, Nepal. This study represents a comparison of risk factors between HIV concordant and discordant couples to better assess HIV transmission dynamics between men who inject drugs, their wives, children and intimate partners.
Rapid Situation Assessments of HIV prevalence and risk factors among people injecting drugs in four cities of Punjab.
(Mandi Bahaudin . Rawalpindi . Gujranwala . Sheikhupura), Punjab, Pakistan
October 2009
It is estimated that a total number of 2,246 persons inject drugs in the four cities of which 1200 (approximately 50%) were part of this assessment. The highest (53%) HIV prevalence was in the city of Mandi Bahuddin where a majority (93%) inject ‘marfia’ (a morphine based locally fabricated tablet). This is the first time ever that a city has such a high prevalence of HIV among people injecting drugs in Pakistan and where such a large proportion use a drug (marfia) not recorded in significant numbers ever before. Mandi Bahauddin also has the highest (37%) proportion of estimated numbers of persons injecting drugs the four cities, the highest (55.3%) percentage of married respondents and the oldest injecting practices.
The Hidden Truth – Pakistan
A study of HIV vulnerability, risk factors and prevalence among men injecting drugs and their wives. (Sargodha, Faisalabad, Lahore), Pakistan
March 2008
In Pakistan injecting drug use is recognized as the main driver of the HIV epidemic due to high levels of needle/syringe sharing and insufficient HIV prevention services. Previous studies have assessed IDUs as a “most at risk population”, and have missed the opportunity to understand the related risks and vulnerability of their families and communities.The “Hidden Truth” has revealed previously unrecognized risks and vulnerability of wives of injecting drug users (IDUs) in Pakistan.
Of the estimated 120,000 street based IDUs in Pakistan 50% are married. The majority of the married IDUs reported recent, regular and unprotected sexual relations with their wives. Importantly, this study reveals that up to 15% of the wives of HIV positive IDUs are already infected
The Lethal Overdose
Rapid situation assessment of HIV prevalence and risk factors among people who inject drugs in four cities of Punjab. (Lahore . Faisalabad . Sargodha . Sialkot)
July 2005
It is evident from the findings of this study that Pakistan no longer has a ‘window of opportunity’ to act in advance in order to prevent the transmission of HIV and AIDS among people injecting drugs. With HIV prevalence among people injecting drugs in Faisalabad and Sargodha as high as 9.5% and 12% respectively the price of ‘in-action’ would be immense. We can no longer deny that although we had to act ‘yesterday’, we MUST at least act NOW in order to minimize further damage. There is sufficient evidence and proof that in settings similar to ours, where people inject drugs and share syringes HIV prevalence can reach pandemic proportions in just a matter of few months. To address this very serious public health threat, lip service, tokenism and pilot boutiques will not work.
Project Reports
We regularly update our program sponsors of progress, impact and challenges faced during the implementation of a specific program. These reports help us keep constant track of program progress and assist us to mitigate risks and weaknesses in implementation. They also provide a framework and evidence to our sponsors to advocate and lobby for additional support for programs.
Nai Zindagi Trust – A synopsis
Global Fund HIV Grant (PAK-H-NZT)
March 2016 – December 2017
Since 2011, Nai Zindagi is implementing the Global Fund HIV Grant to Pakistan as one of the Principal Recipients with a mandate to implement scaling up HIV prevention and harm reduction services to injecting drug users, their spouses and children in 30 districts of Pakistan from all four provinces.
The Global Fund HIV grant (PAK-H-NZT) was implemented in 2016 -2017 in continuation of the earlier Global Fund supported grants with similar approach and program design.
Technical Report
Comprehensive and needs based services based on a continuum of care model for people who inject drugs, their wives and children in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
2012
Based on key findings of the RSA it is evident that the selection of Rawalpindi as a city where PWIDs are in dire need of HIV prevention services is correct. Mapping data clearly indicated the need for program based on out reach rather than a static drop in center, to reach maximum coverage. It is also obvious that for HIV prevention services like SNEP (syringe needle exchange program) to be popular and have a high up take by PWIDs, provision of drug treatment services is essential particularly in the absence of OST treatment that is currently not available in Pakistan. Almost 90% of the PWIDs in Rawalpindi belong to the city and fifty percent of street based PWIDs reside with families. It was decided that families of PWIDs should be engaged from the very start in order to access this available community based support for follow up post drug treatment and/or for HIV and AIDS related on going care and support.
Technical Report
HIV and AIDS related diagnostics , treatment for HIV positive persons using drugs Supported by MAINLINE through Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
2010
NZ+ was started to cater to the HIV and AIDS related diagnostics, treatment, care and support needs of HIV positive clients. This document is the annual technical report for the year 2010 and describes the origin, objectives, activities undertaken and conclusions drawn as a result of implementing the project. This report also highlights the challenges faced and the solutions to meet the challenges during this year. NZ+’s program was designed to dove-tail with Nai Zindagi’s street based HIV prevention programs for injecting drug users (IDUs) established in the 8 cities of Punjab in collaboration with the Government of Punjab. After VCCT, HIV positive IDUs were referred to NZ+’s residential services for access to extended HIV and AIDS diagnostics, treatment, care and support services in close collaboration with the Public sector.
Technical Report
HIV prevention, HIV and AIDS diagnostics, treatment, care and support for persons injecting drugs.
(Lahore . Sargodha . Faisalabad . Mandi Bahaudin), Pakistan.
2009
Final Technical Report
HIV prevention, HIV and AIDS diagnostics, treatment, care and support for married persons injecting drugs, their wives and children. (Lahore), Pakistan
2008 – 2009
A Permanent Beginning
Creating abundance at the margins (Islamabad), Pakistan.
2005 – Present
Other Publications
In partnership with local, regional and international organisations we have developed reports, booklets, manuals and brochures. In partnership we have also organized and provided full media coverage of consultations and events in country and abroad. The design, report writing, publication and distribution of these reports has been our responsibility.
Brochure – A Targeted Response To HIV & AIDS
© NAI ZINDAGI TRUST
2018
On the ground: Programmes serving the needs of key populations
© World Health Organization 2014
Author: Mary Henderson
2014
The five key populations—men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people in prison and confined settings, sex workers and transgender people are disproportionally affected by HIV; they have an increased risk of infection, and yet are the least likely to have access to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services because of widespread stigma and discrimination. One in two new HIV infections worldwide are in these populations.
This document presents case studies describing work on the ‘critical enablers’ that facilitate access to services and create an enabling environment for key populations to access services. The case studies also illustrate innovative approaches to service delivery that increase uptake of HIV services, harm reduction services and retention in care. Many of the programme descriptions feature practical details on implementation strategies.
Nai Zindagi Trust is featured on page 32 of this document.
Response Beyond Borders
Nepal
April 2014
This Sub-Regional Consultation on the Prevention of HIV among People who Inject Drugs: Evidence, Engagement and Informed Response is co-organized by RBB, UNAIDS, UNODC and WHO. The consultation was held in Kathmandu, Nepal in April, 2014.
The objective of this consultation was to ensure consensus on evidence-informed HIV programmatic responses based on multi-stakeholder engagement. Supportive actions were identified to accelerate efforts in reducing and addressing the consequences of HIV infection among PWID, their partners and children in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.
Response Beyond Borders
Second Asian Consultation on the Prevention of HIV related to drug use (Bangkok) Thailand.
January 2010
The Second Asian consultation on HIV related to drug use was held in Bangkok in January 2010. The event, managed by Response Beyond Borders (RBB) – a consortium of civil society organization responding to poverty, drug use and HIV and AIDS in Asia – brought together parliamentarians, government representatives, representatives from affected communities and civil society from 22 countries.The event was managed and co-chaired by Nai Zindagi.
The outcome of this consultation brought to light and attention key areas to support people who use drugs in Asia.
Exposure
Continuum of Care
A response to Poverty, Drug use, HIV and AIDS
A Publication designed and published by Nai Zindagi Trust for Mainline, Netherlands.
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This booklet chronicles the journey undertaken to date by community based organisations, as they have come to understand and respond to the triple nexus of poverty, drug use and HIV in Asia. The journey was made possible through exposure to the environment of drug use in Asia.
Throughout the journey, the trust that was placed in the potential of marginalised individuals and disenfranchised communities was amply vindicated.
KICK OFF MEETING REPORT – AFRICA
Bridging the Gap – Health and for key populations
A meeting co-managed by Nai Zindagi Trust and MAINLINE, Netherlands – Mombassa – Kenya
February 2012
In a joint meeting between Mainline and Nai Zindagi, in November 2011 a decision was taken to plan a project Kick-off meeting for Asian and Kenyan partners to establish a framework of future cooperation in order to implement the project for people using drugs in Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal and Pakistan. This project is part of the larger program ‘Bridging the gaps: health and rights for key populations’, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Mombassa, Kenya was selected as the venue for this meeting in order to show commitment that Mainline and its Asian parters have towards the Kenyan organisations.
A New Vision of Change
A resource mobilization initiative
For MAINLINE, Netherlands by Nai Zindagi, Pakistan.
May 2013
This initiative is supported by Mainline Foundation, Netherlands under the project “Bridging the Gaps” of the Key Population Fund provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The primary objective of this initiative is to assist partners to access additional resources available in countries by improving their image. Three partner organizations: Nai Zindagi – Pakistan, Youth Vision – Nepal and LARAS – Indonesia were assessed to review their current brand architecture and to identify and redress gaps in brand consistency within the individual orgainzations e.g vision and mission statements, logo, web site, brochures, etc..