HIV/AIDS PREVENTION, TREATMENT & SUPPORT SERVICES

Through the Avahan I and II Initiative, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and executed in collaboration with Alliance India, RDMM spearheaded the HIV prevention efforts amongst the FSWs in Warangal through community-led outreach and microplanning. The Avahan Initiative was instrumental in facilitating community mobilization and increasing capacity for community ownership to manage health projects.

Since 2006, RDMM has been providing integrated HIV services to the FSWs in Warangal district, with support from the State AIDS Control Society (SACS) through the Targeted Intervention (TI) program. By means of intensive outreach and counselling, we create awareness about HIV and other STIs, leading to the adoption of safer sex practices. The community members are provided with a range of services – regular screening for HIV and STIs, access to condoms, varied forms of counselling, referrals and follow-ups concerning anti-retrovital therapy (ART) and for management of opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis.

We have also formed crisis resolution committees to deal with instances of violence faced by the FSWs; trainings on legal aspects are also provided.

Till date, our interventions in the field of HIV have benefitted 2400+ FSWs.

RDMM was felicitated by Telangana State AIDS Control Society (TGSACS) for Best HIV/AIDS Services to the FSW community on World AIDS Day, 2019

SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (SRH) SERVICES

Linking HIV and SRH services is important to boost the uptake of HIV prevention, treatment and care services by the FSWs. RDMM provided complementary SRH services to the FSWs and their partners, with support from Alliance India. By means of advocacy and sensitization, we also built the capacity of the healthcare providers and other relevant stakeholders to ensure a non-discriminatory attitude towards the community members. Information and counselling on SRH (menstruation problems, unwanted pregnancy, contraceptive methods, uterine cancer, breast cancer, etc.) as well as referrals and linkages to facilities providing SRH services is being made available to the FSWs and their partners in a responsive environment.

In addition to SRH services, the project also aimed at mitigating and preventing gender-based violence against FSWs. Support groups in the form of crisis response team were formed and women also learnt to develop a personal coping plan.

The SRH services provided by RDMM have benefitted 1200+ FSWs.

GENERAL HEALTH

In addition to HIV and STI services, RDMM focused on the general health of FSWs and their families through the Aarogya Deepa Project, in collaboration with Swasti Health Catalyst (SHC) and with support from the Ashraya Hastha Trust. The community members and their families were screened for common ailments such as anaemia, diabetes, hypertension, thyroid, etc. and referrals and follow-up for treatment were ensured, if needed. The project also focused on generating awareness on preventive aspects of healthy living such as nutrition, exercise, meditation, yoga, etc.
The project benefitted 1600+ FSWs and their families.