It has been clearly brought out in the NACP III Operational Guidelines that a comparison of urban-rural data reveals that rural areas account for 59% of the total HIV infection and there is a growing evidence that HIV is no longer restricted to urban areas. Considering the evidence of rural risks and vulnerabilities to HIV and the over burdened rural health functionaries, NACP III has designed the Link Worker Scheme (LWS) to provide HIV prevention, referral and follow up services to HRGs and vulnerable groups in rural areas. NACO, SACS, KHPT, DAPCU and the implementing NGOs at the districts will be closely involved in LWS. LWS will be implemented with a strong management and technical suppot structure from village to national level.

KHPT has been selected by NACO as the Lead Agency to implement the Link Worker Scheme in 8 districts of Karnataka viz., Uttar Kannada, Gadag, Haveri, Shimoga, Kolar, Chitradurga, Dakshin Kannada and Bangalore Rural. The LWS under the gambit of KHPT has been named Sampoorna. Specific activities under different phases will be carried out in the span of 3 years. 100 villages have been shortlisted and selected for implementation of Sampoorna in each district. The project also envisages the facilitation of community members to develop ownership and sustain the scheme beyond the life of the programme through formation of youth groups, red ribbon clubs and involvement of about 1000 volunteers per district.

Specific objectives of Sampoorna include :

Reach out to HRGs and vulnerable men and women in rural reas with information, knowledge, skills on STI/HIV prevention and risk reduction.

This entails :

• Increasing the availability and use of condoms among HRGs and other vulnerable men and women.
• Establishing referral and follow up linkages for various series including treatment for STIs, testing and treatment for TB, ICTC, PPTCT services, HIV care and support services including ART.
• Creating an enabling environment for PLHA and their families, reducing stigma and discrimination against them through interactions with exising community structures/groups eg., VHSCs, SHGs and Panchayati Raj Institutes.