About Us

Lakshya, A Society for Public Health Education and Research was established on 10th April 2010 by like-minded people to perform high quality Public Health research and training that would benefit and make an impact on the community. The trustees of Lakshya, in different capacity, were previously involved in a randomized controlled trial for prevention of HIV transmission from mother-to-child in Pune, India. This study, now labelled as SWEN (Six Week Extended Nevirapine) was a clinical study to examine the effect of Nevarapine, a drug used for HIV treatment, on reducing mother-to-infant HIV transmission. The study was conducted in BJ Government Medical College, Pune from 2001 till 2007 with approvals from the Indian Council of Medical Research and Government of Maharashtra.

This study had enrolled 730 HIV infected pregnant women and their new-born infants and showed that HIV transmission through breastfeeding can be reduced to 50% at 6 weeks of baby’s age by giving six weeks of Nevarapine to breastfed infants. The study was a huge success and got international attention. Based on these data, the World Health Organization changed its guidelines for prevention of perinatal HIV transmission. This means that the entire world would use these guidelines to reduce HIV transmission from mother-to-child. This was big achievement and encouragement for us and were motivated to form an organization that would not only be involved on high quality research, but also convert research into policies that would benefits the society.

Key mandates of our mission include

HIV counselling and testing

We provide pre and post-test HIV counseling. This is a gateway to access HIV treatment, social support and preventing high risk behaviors.

Undertake research that focuses on reducing Morbidity & Mortatlity, among patient infected with HIV, TB, and other infectious deases

Identifying opportunistic infections

TB, cryptococcal meningitis and oral candidacies and helping HIV infected individuals to reduce associated morbidity

Reducing stigma associated with HIV and TB

we reduce stigma by creating awareness programs or camps in the community

Increase TB case finding

collaborating with the national TB elimination program to increase TB case findings in the community

increase TB case finding through various TB research projects among household contacts (including children) of indexed Tb patients

Empowerment of women living with HIV and TB

Providing skill development workshops

Developing health education materials

we have developed videos, and pamphlets to create awareness about Drug resistance to TB, pregnancy & TB, COVID-19 vaccine Acceptance among adolescents, and many more.

use of mobile Health in health systems research

we use the digital technology eMOCHA System to improve the Uptake of HIV Services by women infected with HIV

Training of young scientists in research methods

good clinical practice training, human subject protection training, training of national & international ethical guidelines, training in statistical methods and analysis, training in qualitative quantitative research methods, and many more.