YRG MERF
Major initiatives & programmes
Stigma-Free HIV/AIDS Care & Research Movement
Pioneering movement delivering dignified HIV treatment and pioneering clinical research since 1993.
National Public Health & Multi-Disease Expansion
Scaling interventions across 634 districts and 600+ settings covering HIV, TB, Hepatitis, and NCDs.
District School & Community Health Projects
School-based and community-level screening, health counseling, and referral programs supported by District Coordinators.
About
YRG MERF is built upon a foundation of innovation, integrity, and impact. Since our inception, we have been committed to driving positive change and delivering exceptional value to our beneficiaries and communities. Our journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. We take pride in our rich history of achievements and the lasting relationships we have cultivated over the years. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to upholding our core values and advancing our mission to create a sustainable and prosperous world for generations to come.
YRG MERF (YRG Medical, Educational, Research Foundation) was founded in Chennai with a singular, audacious purpose - to deliver ethical, compassionate, and stigma-free HIV care and research at a time when fear outweighed facts and people living with HIV were routinely turned away from hospitals, families, and society. From the beginning, YRG MERF was envisioned not merely as a clinic, but as a movement. A place where cutting-edge science would walk hand in hand with deep humanity. Where marginalised communities would not be studied from a distance, but served, protected, and centred. Where trust would be built patiently, one person at a time.
Now, 500+ global publications | 400,000+ lives reached | Work spanning HIV, TB, Hepatitis, NCDs, and India's most marginalized communities. Our journey until now has been full of learning and we hope to serve the communities better. From documenting India's first HIV case to reaching 634 districts. From one clinic to 600+ settings. From stigma to dignity.