India has a population of one billion, around half of whom are adults in the sexually active age group. The spread of HIV in India has been uneven. The highest HIV prevalence rates are found in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the south; and Manipur and Nagaland in the north-east. These statistics are the result of the research conducted by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). To prevent the spread of HIV many drives are operating & one such prevention drive is operated by the CONNECT PROJECT under the aegis of the Karnataka State AIDS prevention society.
Since knowledge is the key to prevention of many diseases the ‘SADHAN SANCHARI CLINIC’ aims at providing that facility to the common man by introducing a mobile van which travels all over the district and camps at strategic locations like construction sites, slums, beaches and during fairs or festive gatherings. With financial grants from the USAID project since 2002 this initiative has a team of more than a 1000 all over the state. They strive to educate the people about the dreaded HIV. Female Sex workers participate in their camps after NGOs inform them. Male Sex workers are also on the rise and must be educated. But the general population is what the project targets and the SADHAN clinic conducts counseling and testing for people in need.
The Sadhan clinic has its base in Kotara Chowki and can be identified by a yellow van. They keep traveling within the city and decide to camp at a particular spot depending on the kind of population. Their usual camps are also at Belthangady and Bunder. Once the van camps in a locality they hunt for people at construction sites and spend about 45 minutes on each person. There is a pre-test and post -test counseling. Usually 1 ml of blood is extracted for testing. They spread awareness amongst workers about the causes and prevention of HIV. According to Male Counselor Karuppaya, “Since our operations began in 2002 we have seen a gradual drop in cases. In 2009 there was a 90% drop in HIV cases”.
They begin their work at 8:30 in the morning and are able to talk to 30 members in a day. There are male and female counselors. They also have an Inter-personal Communicator who breaks the news of the existence of HIV to patients if tested positive. The inside of the van is divided into 3 sections. The counseling, testing and treatment sections. During the testing, if the WBC count is less than 250 then the person may be at risk. If found HIV positive then Anti-Retro Viral treatment (ART) is injected and confidentiality of the patient is maintained. The common challenge faced by the Sadhan team is that people refuse to get tested. One can call for appointments and a meager sum of Rs 25 is charged as compared to Rs 900 in Hospitals. The Sadhan team stops by for lunch at hotels or sometimes carry tiffin for lunch. Any person except drunken individuals can avail of this facility and can be contacted on (0824) – 6565049.
Comments
Add new comment