To offer a safe and organised platform to find a match for people with HIV in Gujarat, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA)’s Centre for Management of Health Services (CMHS) has joined hands with Gujarat State Network of Positive People (GSNP+) to develop a web-based matrimony portal. The portal developed by CMHS is ready, but the two organisations working on the project are scouting for security measures before they launch it, said IIMA Prof Rajesh Chandwani who is handling the project.

On Tuesday, members of CMHS and GSNP+ interacted with media about the project. “Longevity for people with HIV+ has increased. This means, providing them with an opportunity to live life normally. Setting up a web portal to find a match for HIV+ is an initiative in this direction. There is marriage bureau in place to find a match for HIV+ people. This is an extension of the service,” said Prof Chandwani.

Apart from Prof Chandwani, GSNP+ members Daxa Patel, Rajbha, president of the organisation Rasik Bhuva, Rajesh Kalavadiya, joint director IEC Gujarat State AIDS Control Program, Hemant Shukla and IIMA Director Ashish Nanda were present on the occasion. Rajbha said that in 9 events to find match for HIV+, 600 female and 1,200 male members participated. Of these, 238 marriages were formalised. “There are 1.38 lakh HIV+ people in Gujarat. In absence of marriage bureau or web portal, people affected with HIV+ may find it difficult to find a match, hence the initiative,” he said.

Prof Chandwani said that adequate care has been taken to ensure data protection and security of HIV+ people as any lapse would result in trouble for them. “The portal is ready but we are looking for an agency that can handle the security part. We do not wish to launch the portal on an insecure platform, hence taking time. This is to avoid stealing of any data that may go against them,” he said. The website is being developed in three languages — Gujarati, Hindi and English. Currently, its reach is limited to Gujarat, which they plan to take beyond the State.