नमस्ते (Namaste) and Welcome!
Program Director
Namaste and welcome to the website of KYC-Punarjiwan Kendra!
The problem of drug and substance use is not a new phenomenon in Nepal. The first case of heroin use in Nepal was reported in 1976. Later it grew into an epidemic in urban cities like Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Pokhara and Dharan. Currently the estimated number of drug users in Nepal is around 60.000 people. Among them 50% are injecting substance users.
The first case of AIDS in Nepal was reported in 1988. By the mid 1990s Nepal experienced an explosive growth in HIV infections. Poverty, low levels of education and literacy, gender inequalities and discrimination make Nepal vulnerable to HIV&AIDS. Unsafe sex practices, unsafe drug injection, internal and external mobility of seasonal labour migrants as well as cross-border migration, and limited access to adequate health care make it difficult to address HIV&AIDS.
The epidemic in Nepal has the characteristics of a concentrated epidemic. Especially among the injecting drug users the prevalence rate is very high: 38.4%.
KYC-Punarjiwan Kendra is an autonomous non-profit, non-political and non-religious organization that operates under KYC. We are working in nine districts of the Eastern region, Kathmandu and Lalitpur. We envision a society where people have the right and access to a healthyand dignified life. In order to achieve our aim, we work with PLWHAs and (I)DUs by advocating for their rights and providing treatment, care and support related to drugs and HIV&AIDS. Furthermore we prevent drug use and spreading of HIV by educating the community, in which we focus on youths and adolescents. Finally we work with families within marginalized and disadvantaged groups by increasing their knowledge and practice about sexual and reproductive health.
KYC-Punarjiwan Kendra has been focusing its activities and programs on drug abuse and HIV&AIDS prevention since its inception. Kirat Yakthung Chumlung (KYC) established Punarjiwan Kendra in 1996. It then set-up the first drug rehabilitation centre in Eastern Nepal.
In 1997 it started a harm reduction program for Injecting Drug Users (IDUs). Furthermore it conducted school and community based awareness programs on HIV&AIDS and drug abuse. In order to educate youths and adolescence about drug abuse, HIV prevention and other life skills, a youth centre was set-up. From 2003 to 2006 KYC-Punarjiwan Kendra also ran a program on sexual and reproductive health for marginalized and disadvantaged groups. Within all programs there has always been a strong collaboration with GOs, INGOs, NGOs and the community.
On this website you can find some more information about our current programs, activities and our achievements. Enjoy it!
Kamal Tigela Limbu,
Program Director KYC-Punarjiwan Kendra
