Migrant Loom Workers Project

Mumbai Branch completed three years of Avert Society funded target intervention Project for prevention of HIV/AIDS among single migrants working in about 3,250 power looms at Padmanagar and Bhandari Compound in Bhiwandi. Through the project discussions with peer educators, CBD holders and loom owners were held in the field. The loom owners showed keen interest in the project activities and were committed to the workers’ health. The achievements have been noteworthy. The project reached out to 32,407 workers, 1052 STI cases were identified, provided care and support and 85 HIV positive persons were referred. 140 peer educators helped in conducting events at community level.
Ms Sujatha Rao, Secretary and Director General, National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) visited the Project area and interacted with loom owners, mess owners, peer educators and appreciated the strategies for ‘enabling environment’. She recommended other NGOs to visit and observe this community participation as a model and declared the centre as a ’Learning Site’ for others who wished to have exposure visits for observing the successful interventions. This site was also selected as a possible
HIV Sentinel Surveillance Site.
Advocacy, especially with the Loom owners for mobilizing local resources and creating awareness about HIV/AIDS and safe sex practices was carried out by:
Organising a first ever Rally on HIV AIDS Day, 500 students from seven colleges, took part in AIDS related drama competitions and three street plays.
Active participation of stake holders in a rally on International Labour Day reached out to 5000 workers, through sponsoring message banners, street plays and mimicry shows etc.
Helping 23 Peer Educators through Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT) Mumbai supported ‘Peer Mela’ to sustain their interest in voluntary work and promoting correct and consistent use of condoms.
Conveying HIV Prevention messages to nearly 7000 people through 5 Ganesh Mandals during Ganapati festival, holding competitions and exhibitions.

FPA India Mumbai Branch

SPANDAN - ‘Men having Sex with Men’ (MSM) Project

The Branch made efforts to create MSM friendly space at Planned Parenthood Centre in Bandra–Kurla Complex. This project integrates HIV/AIDS into regular SRH services with financial support from Japan Trust Fund for HIV/AIDS and technical support from South Asia Regional Office of International Planned Parenthood Federation.

Target Population covered were 539 (478 MSM, 9 IDU users, 17 FSW, 3 PLHIVs & 32 Male SWs); 186 accessed clinic services, 78 clients were referred for SRH & HIV related services,30 families of key population (KPs) with spouse accessed clinic services, 89 were counseled on STI / HIV, 3 PLHIVs were identified and 9378 condoms were distributed.
After repeated visits to DIC and undergoing counselling some of the KPs gained confidence, five revealed that they were MSM and started following safer sex practices; one of them also revealed that he was HIV +ve and was counselled and referred to Nair Hospital for further support; seven revealed that they had been married and four visited the DIC along with their wives; two spoke to their mothers about their MSM status and came to DIC with their mothers.
The project trained 7 key population beneficiaries in computer skills and two of these got jobs in private enterprises.
IPPF prepared a documentary based on interviews with KPs, addressing their SRH needs and of their family members.

Family Planning Association of India, Mumbai Branch Clinics
The Branch has 4 service delivery centers at strategic locations in Mumbai and Thane districts for the underserved and marginalized communities to avail of quality reproductive and sexual health services and counseling with enhanced outreach service component at all centers.

Kutumb Sudhar Kendra KSK (since1952) the oldest center at Mumbai Central, is adjacent to railway stations and bus depots and is easily accessed by the clients. The center, despite space constraint, has a very large number of clients and is a recognized center for training of Medical officers for MTP and laparoscopic ligations.

Kutumb Niyojan Adarsh Kendra KNAK (since1973) in Thane is a spacious center and works in close collaboration with Thane Municipal Health authorities. The clinic conducts a clinic for males on weekly basis and is also a recognized center for training of Medical officers for MTPs and laparoscopic ligations.

Planned Parenthood Centre PPC (since1980) currently located in the Bandra-Kurla Complex has been providing outreach SRH services to the large nearby slum communities. The center has an STI clinic on bi-weekly basis and a drop in center for the MSM community members.

Prajanan Swasthya Kendra PSK (since 1997) is also called Smt. Avabai Wadia Memorial Reproductive health center is situated in Bhiwandi. At this center weekly Male clinic and Adolescent friendly clinic are conducted. This centre has clients coming from 110 villages supported by 295 Mahila Mandals with membership of more than 10,000 women who are the ambassadors and promoters for reproductive health.

FPA India Mumbai Branch
BRANCH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. Dr. Janaki V. Desai President
2. Dr. Usha Krishna Immediate Past President
3. Dr. Mandakini Purandare Vice President
4. Dr. K. Seshagiri Rao Vice President
5. Dr. Kamal Hazari Hon. Secretary
6. Dr. Jayshree Jhaveri Hon. Treasurer
7. Dr. Shirish Malde Hon. Treasurer
8. Dr. M.C. Watsa Member
9. Dr. Kusum Zaveri Member
10. Dr. Kumud Nagral Member
11. Dr. Jayashree Joshi Member
12. Dr. H.B. Masani Member
13. Dr. Ruby Baam Member
14. Dr. Phiroze Soonawala Member
15. Mrs. Prabha Char Permanent Invitee
16. Dr. R.P.Soonawala Permanent Invitee
17. Ms. Bhairavi Kabre Youth Volunteer
18. Ms. Meghana Nair Youth Volunteer
19. Mrs. Bharti Sonavane Member