About Us

SPARSHA (Society for Positive Atmosphere and Related Support to HIV and AIDS) Nepal is a registered NGO and Community-Based Organization working since 2002 to promote health, human rights, and welfare, particularly for at-risk populations, including People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and key populations (KPs) like Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM), Female Sex Workers (FSWs), and Transgender individuals. Our mission focuses on increasing access to Integrated HIV/AIDS services while advocating for health and human rights through community involvement.

Led by community members, including PLHIV and KPs, our organization emphasizes their meaningful participation in decision-making processes, ensuring their voices shape our services. We prioritize client needs, delivering tailored services through our “One-Stop Community-Based Service Model.”

SPARSHA offers comprehensive care, including HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support, as well as services for tuberculosis and Hepatitis B and C. We pioneered the Community-Based Antiretroviral Treatment (CB-ART) clinic in 2005, which serves as a model for care.

Since our inception, SPARSHA has supported over 1,500 PLHIV, integrating services such as community home-based care and mobile clinics for rapid HIV testing. We also conduct research to enhance service delivery and advocate for the rights of marginalized communities.

We aim to expand our model across all seven provinces of Nepal, contributing to the national health system and reducing the burden of HIV in the country.

Vision:

SPARSHA Nepal envisions a responsible society that promotes community-based responses for a healthy and dignified life of human life

Mission:

Our mission is to deliver high-quality healthcare services for infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis, STIs, and TB, as well as non-communicable diseases like mental health issues. Through ongoing research and advocacy efforts, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for all individuals, guided by a rights-based approach  

Core Values:

The following are the core values of SPARSHA that guide all its endeavors:

• Compassion: Demonstrating empathy and understanding towards individuals affected by HIV, TB, malaria, and drug use, promoting caring and supportive environments.
• Community Engagement: Actively involving communities in awareness campaigns, advocacy efforts, and service delivery to empower local responses and ensure relevance and sustainability.
• Integrity: Committing to transparency, honesty, and ethical practices in all interactions and operations to build trust and credibility.
• Equity: Advocating for equal access to healthcare, social services, and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.
• Innovation: Embracing creativity and continuous improvement in approaches to prevention, treatment, and support services, adapting to changing needs and circumstances.
• Collaboration: Fostering partnerships with stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, healthcare providers, and affected communities, to leverage collective expertise and resources.
• Empowerment: Promoting self-determination and autonomy among affected individuals through education, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives, fostering hope and resilience for a better future

These core values align with SPARSHA Nepal's mission to address HIV, TB, malaria, and drug use by promoting public awareness, informed understanding, caring, involvement, hope for the future, and justice while combating unjust structures.

Guiding Principles:

SPARSHA upholds the 7 Guiding Principles for Service Provision is in line with the work of in the fields of HIV/AIDS, human rights, and drug policy.

1. A full course of high-quality treatment and follow-up support to be provided following good clinical practice.

2. Treatment without discrimination.

3. Meaningful participation in determining his/her, own treatment goals, which may include, but are not limited to, abstinence or changes in treatment/drug use that minimize the harms, side effects, and/or dependence.

4. Meaningful participation in all treatment decisions, including when and how treatment is initiated and withdrawal from treatment.

5. Exercise his or her rights as a patient, including:

• Reporting, without retribution, any instances of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of patients in the program;
• A grievance and appeal process, following human rights laws, national laws and regulations.
• Provide feedback and input into the policies and services of drug dependence treatment programs; and
• Voluntary withdrawal from treatment at any time. 

6. Confidentiality of medical records and clinical test results; and 

7. Be fully informed, including but not limited to the right to receive information on:

• His or her state of health;
• His or her rights and obligations as a patient, as specified in service rules and regulations and/or applicable law;
• The procedure for making a complaint about the services received through the program; and
• Conditions and the availability of receiving free services, medical insurance and other possible subsidies or aid.