Introduction:

(HIV) Human Immune Deficiency Virus has been posing a threat to the life of the human race throughout the world. Every developed and under-developed country is at risk and till date no specific medicine is being developed for the treatment of AIDS. The whole world is taking the spread of HIV/AIDS seriously and assisting in every possible ways. In our country, government is providing every possible support for combating the disease in further spread of infection, not only this, the government is also taking possible care of the persons who are affected with this deadly disease.

Project: The STD/HIV/AIDS Targeted Intervention among Commercial Sex Workers project was taken up in 1st October 2000 in Birbhum District to reduce high risk activity diagnose and treat their STDs and prevent the further transmission of HIV/AIDS. A number of clinics were set in different place. The choice of the site for the clinics and timings were made in such a way as to make it most convenient for the target group to attend our clinics for STD treatment and counseling services.

Name of the Project: SANKALPA

Target Group: Commercial Sex Workers 

Area of Operation: Suri, Sainthia, Rampurhat and surrounding areas

Financial Support: Financial Support is provided by the West Bengal State AIDS Prevention & Control Society (WBSAP&CS), Kolkata

Our Service: The services provided by the project included the following :

• Treatment of STDs through STD clinic 
• Providing care and support to the PLWHA
• Condom promotion through social marketing and free distribution
• Involvement of stakeholder and bridge population
• Training programme 
• Celebrating World AIDS day and similar important days
• Using different mode for communication e.g. Boul, Bhowhurupi, Street drama & Video show
• Participation in different rural/urban fairs

Strategy: Strategy adopted for ensuring success of this project.

• Rapport Building
• Spot wise education about STD/HIV/AIDS  
• Catering to primary health needs strengthens our bond with our clients and target group.
• Maintenance of strict privacy
• Free distribution of medicine.
• Empathic counseling and social marketing of condoms.
•  Encouraging follow-up and Partner notification.
•  Providing medical and psychological support to the person and their family affected by HIV infection.

Our achievement
In spite of many hurdles coming in the intervention programme the staff member’s dedication and technical skills, knowledge made the situation better. The followings are the achievement during the last one year:

Target and achievement of ‘Sankalpa’ according to Monitoring Indicators from April 2018 to March 2019