'Mana Suraksha' Launched For HIV

The Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society on Wednesday launched a state level campaign named "Mana Suraksha" for mainstream vulnerable populations, to enable them to effectively access Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) prevention services in government hospitals.

"The Mana Suraksha campaign will be a milestone in the mainstreaming of vulnerable populations - Female Sex Workers (FSW), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transgenders (TG)," APSACS Director C Partha Sarathi said while speaking at a workshop organised by the Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust on Wednesday.

"As you are all aware, presently we are implementing HIV/AIDS prevention programmes across the nation and state in keeping with the goals of the National AIDS Control Programme for reversing and halting the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The targeted interventions which have been implemented have paved the way for effective STI and HIV/AIDS prevention in the state, especially among vulnerable populations," he also said.

Sarathi added, "As part of the mainstreaming efforts, this was the time to initiate programmes to protect the basic fundamental rights of vulnerable populations, especially their right to health."

Appreciating the increase in the accessing of the health services by the vulnerable populations, Avahan Initiative Programme officer Matangi said, "The stigma and discrimination these populations face has proved to be a consistent challenge. In fact, in our recent services analysis, we also came to know that there are no doctors, nurses and medicines in some of the STI clinics. The government must address these challenges to make this campaign a success."

CBO representatives Shahanaz and Gouri from Guntur and Krishna districts respectively presented a Request Letter to the APSACS Project Director on behalf of all the vulnerable populations across the coastal districts, with certain specific recommendations including ensuring availability of doctors; designating exclusive rooms for providing treatment; ensuring confidentiality, dignity and respect; providing opportunities for qualified community members to work at STI clinics of the government; and ensuring stigma-free health services.

Materials like modules, posters and AV tools that were developed with the support and involvement of these communities were released. (INN)