YR Gaitonde Medical Educational and Research Foundation

The YR Gaitonde Medical, Educational and Research Foundation (1985), an internationally recognized non-profit in Chennai pioneers HIV prevention, care and research through the YRG Center for AIDS Research and Education (YRGCARE). The Foundation s livelihood initiative ECO Kitchen addresses economic stability within families affected by social and economic challenges. Dr Suniti Solomon, Founder, and her team at Madras Medical College, documented first evidence of HIV in India (1986). YRGCARE s expertise includes HIV clinical care for over 19000 patients living with HIV, outreach prevention services, a NABL accredited laboratory, medical and counseling training and clinical, laboratory and behavioural research. Services: HIV, sexuality, treatment education; anonymous testing for HIV/STI; healthcare and support; matrimonial services; reproductive health; pediatric care and therapeutic recreation camps for children with HIV; and clinics for MSM and IDUs. , ECO Kitchen s Project ECO (Enhancing Community Opportunities) has four components. Kathir: innovative food retail micro-entrepreneurship supporting disadvantaged women and their families; Kathir Dhan: responds to hunger and malnutrition, building bridges between those in need and those who wish to help; Out-of-the-Box: serves personalized meals-corporate pantries and private catering events, employs women as food service agents; Endrum Punnagai: helps children at schools (Corporation of Chennai) to enhance health, self-confidence and interpersonal communication.