Besides the physical and mental trauma associated with their condition, people with HIV are often left dealing with loneliness as they fail to find a life partner. To address the issue, the Gujarat Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP), Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) and Shree RamKrishna Exports of Surat launched a matrimony website Matrimonial.gsnpplus.org for people with HIV, on Tuesday.

Planning for the website started more than two years ago with IIMA's Centre for Management of Health Services (CMHS). Daksha Patel, secretary of GNP, said that they had been organising marriage fairs for people with HIV. That was where they thought about a portal or a matrimony site to expand the reach across the country and the world.

Patel said, "There are around 68,000 people who are under treatment for HIV at ART centres in Gujarat. So far, around 900 people living with HIV participated and around 245 people got married at our marriage fairs." 

Prof Rajesh Chandwani, chairperson of CMHS, said the website has been designed in a way that the participant's identity remains confidential. "People have to fill their details in the website to register."