NGO / CBO Meet 2010
FPA India, Mumbai Branch
1st Floor, Radhika Residency, Near Tilaknagar Railway Station, Mahatma Phule Nagar, CTS 46-B (PT), Tilaknagar (W), Mumbai – 400 089

NGO/CBO Meet for Networking:
FPA India Mumbai Branch organized an NGO/CBO Meet on June 18, 2010 at Avabai Wadia Health Center (AWHC), Tilak Nagar for experience sharing of JTF supported MSM Project achievements implemented during 2008 - 2010 and introduction of Positive Prevention among PLHIVs Project being implemented by FPA India Mumbai Branch during 2010–2012.
After welcome, the meeting began with the Power Point presentation on JTF funded MSM Project. Explaining the successful implementation of the Project Ms. Jugnu Doshi, Clinic Secretary, AWHC highlighted the co-operation and timely support extended by NGOs/CBOs working with the sexual minorities in capacity building of the Branch staff in providing quality SRH services to Sexual Minorities with greater sensitivity. She also referred to continued referral of MSMs by NGOs/CBOs, which had helped the MSM project to successfully serve 89 female partners of the MSM who were in need of sexual & reproductive health (SRH). She specially mentioned the timely support that the Project had received from Hum Safer Trust, Sakhi Char Choughi, Aarju Foundation and Udaan Secretariat. At the end of the presentation she informed that that integrated SRH services would continue to be provided to the sexual minorities in all the Branch clinics including the AWHC, which would start functioning soon.
Sharing his experience of working with FPA India Mumbai Branch MSM Project, Mr. Manoj Jani, President, Aarju Foundation appreciated the facilities created by FPA India Mumbai Branch for MSM and their female partners to access integrated SRH services. Creation of a friendly environment in FPAI Clinics having sensitised staff and not being branded to be serving only a particular kind of target groups helped a large number of married MSM and their female partners to avail services without stigma and discrimination. He informed that the Aarju Foundation would continue referring needy MSM and their female partners to FPA India Mumbai Branch Clinics for SRH services. Gouri Sawant, President, Sakhi Char Choughi also shared experiences of Sakhi Char Choughi clients especially Hijras/TG and the male sex partners of Hijras/TG availing SRH services at Branch Clinics without stigma. She also conveyed that Sakhi Char Choughi would continue to refer Hijras/TG and their male sex partners to Mumbai Branch clinics.
Mr. Shivaji Kare, Programme Manager, FPA India Mumbai Branch spoke about the Positive Prevention Project, the new initiative of FPA India Mumbai Branch for providing positive prevention services to PLHIV in Mumbai and Thane districts. Through a Power Point Presentation, he explained the objectives of Positive Prevention Project and conveyed that FPA India Mumbai Branch is committed to provide quality SRH services to the PLHIVs with the objective to cause delay in HIV disease progression and sought the support from all other NGOs working for PLHIVS.
Dr. Alka Gogate, FPA India Mumbai Branch Volunteer, and Ex-Project Director MDACS, highlighted the importance of networking to fulfill needs of sexual minorities. She pointed out that how big an organisation may be, it cannot on its own fulfill all the needs of PLHIVs. By way of illustration, she pointed out that the NGOs/CBOs who had been providing STI/HIV related services would not be able to provide ART, CD4 or SRH services She reiterated that each organization committed for certain aspect of services to HIV infected and affected persons, they would need to network and establish proper linkages with other organizations providing other services. She emphasiised that there is an urgent need for collective efforts for HIV prevention as well as care and support by various organizations working in these areas through proper networking and establishing linkages.
Dr. K. Seshagiri Rao, Vice President FPA India Mumbai Branch highlighted the need for ensuring community participation in meeting the needs of the PLHIVs and their sexual partners. He pointed out that each community whether a village community or a community of MSM or TG, will have its own specific needs. In most cases it would be difficult for one community to understand the needs of other community. Community participation approach helps the members of each community to become empowered to clearly think about the multiple needs of community members, express their requirements and seek support. Any NGO working for bringing about desirable changes in a community need to ensure that the community for which it would be working is actively involved through the process of empowerment. Community participation will contribute to identify the open and hidden needs of the community members, and develop the programmes to meet all those needs with the efforts of the members themselves, with the support of other communities and by networking for increased access to services as also for bringing about changes at the policy making as well as policy implementation levels. He shared the experience of FPAI in the application of community participation approach for increasing access to family planning services through women’s empowerment and male involvement.

Dr. Janaki Desai, President FPA India Mumbai Branch thanked all the NGOs/CBOs for the support they had been extending to FPA India Mumbai Branch in carrying out its various activities, particularly in serving the marginalized groups and appealed the participating in the meeting to continue their support for reaching out to such marginalized and under served groups including those with different sexual orientation. She assured that FPAI would continue to provide all the integrated services related to SRH and HIV under one roof and also networking with other NGOs for increasing accessibility of services and for carrying out advocacy with the Government on certain specific issues. She desired that FPA India Mumbai Branch and networking among the participating NGOs would lead to collective action that would to bring positive changes in the lives of sexual minorities and PLHIVs.

The open forum that followed brought out the following issues:
Issues to be addressed
Ø The number of ART centers available in Mumbai and Thane are inadequate when compared to the number of PLHIVs. The distance to be covered to reach the ART center particularly in Thane district is time consuming and economically costly. As a result, there are many defaulters among the PLHIV clients who are on ART.
Ø After care and support services are very limited in Mumbai. As a consequence, it is becoming very difficult for PLHIVs from High Risk Population, particularly with different sexual orientation to get admission in these centers.
Ø TGs find it difficult to access services in many of the hospitals as they cannot be classified either as Male or as Female. Male doctors are not comfortable because of their feminine nature; Female doctors are not comfortable because the male sexual origin.
Ø Community mobilisation efforts are needed for enabling PLHIVs and sexual minorities to raise their voice against stigma and discrimination for accessing the SRH services.
Agreement on some actions to be taken by NGOs
Ø NGOs should meet once a month to discuss various issues that are to be addressed based on the priority of the issue.
Ø It is desirable to have the monthly meeting of the networking NGOs on a Saturday
Ø Advocacy for provision of quality services to high risk groups without stigma and discriminations should be taken up with health service providers.
Ø Efforts should be made to increase accessibility of community, family and institution based care & support of the PLHIV to special groups like Hijras and orphan PLHIVs
Ø Sensitisation programmes are to be taken up for addressing the identity crisis of sexual minorities

Following NGOs and CBOs participated in the meet:
1. Network by People living with HIV in Mumbai (NPM+)
2. Sakhi Char Choughi Trust
3. Ekta Trust
4. CCDT
5. Network of Thane by People living with HIV (NTP+)
6. Sanjeevani
7. Sweekar Foundation
8. Humsaya Welfare Sanstha
9. Udaan Secretariat
10. Aarzu Foundation
11. Lawyers Collective

FPA India, Mumbai Branch
808/A, Boman Lodge, 1st Floor, Dr. Ambedkar Marg, Dadar TT, Mumbai – 400 014, Phone: 022 – 24112212 / 14
International Women’s Day 2010FPA India Mumbai Branch observed “International Women’s Day” jointly with Sahyadri Krida Mandal, Tilak Nagar (Chembur), Mumbai on March 8th , 2010 at 5.00 pm with the objective of “Women Sexual & Reproductive Health Needs & post menopausal problems

Rangoli drawn by member of Sahyadri Krida Mandal
The beautiful Rangoli at the entrance of the function was giving best wishes of the International Women’s Day to the participants of the function, later with the warm welcome by the male members of Sahyadri Krida Mandal to the women participants. It was the symbol of male involvement in the women empowerment. Ms. Anjali Satardekar, Ex-Corporator and Chief of the Women Wing, Sahyadri Krida Mandal and Ms. Sheetal More, Member, Sahyadri Krida Mandal welcomed chief guests Dr. Janaki Desai, President, FPA India Mumbai Branch, Dr. Mandakini Purandare, Vice – President, FPA India Mumbai Branch and Dr. Kamal Hazari, Hon. Secretary, FPA India Mumbai Branch.



Ms. Anjali Satardekar and Ms. Sheetal More welcomes guests in the function

The function was started with the lighting of the lamp and Mr. Shivaji Kare, Programme Manager, FPA India Mumbai Branch briefed participants about the need to observe International Women’s Day in the introduction. He appealed participants to raise voice for their rights and lend helping hand to procure others rights. It is time of collaborative actions to bridge the gap between two genders with proper respect to each other for planning the family for better future.
Dr. Mandakini Purandare stressed on the importance of the health of the women for the family and requested participants to see the doctors immediately when feels uneasy or sick, if someone would ignore it, then that would cause serious problem in the future. Especially she emphasized on the physical and psychological changes during menopause and issues arising because of the ignorance. She highlighted on the proper diet and exercise to avoid frustration and improve digestive system. She informed participants about the early detection of cervical cancer through Pap smear testing and it could help early detection and cure. She appealed that each one should impart this information to the women who are not present for the programme but are in need and refer them to the hospitals for quality services.

Dr. Janaki Desai addressing the women participants

Dr. Janaki Desai explained FPA India Mumbai Branch initiatives in the field of SRH with the community participation. She shared FPAI experience with the Mahila Mandals for Women Empowerment with the male involvement and thanked male members of Sahyadri Krida Mandal for the initiative to respect women. She appealed all the male members that women should not merely respected only on Women Day but they should respect women every day.
In the question answer session participants came up with the series of queries related to their Sexual & Reproductive Health needs, their doubts were cleared in the discussion and needy participants had been referred to the respective hospitals.
Mr. Ashok Satardekar, General Secretary, Sahyadri Krida Mandal gave vote of thanks to the participants and guests.
Participants later visited exhibition stall put up by FPA India Mumbai Branch and carried IEC material about Sexual & Reproductive Health. Some of them contacted Branch staff and enquired about the services available in FPAI Clinics. Two presidents of Mahila Mandals from Panchsheel Nagar approached Branch staff and requested to conduct programme for adolescent girls. Sahyadri Krida Mandal also assured to carry forward the series of such programmes for adolescents, youth and elderly people in the vicinity

FPA India Mumbai Brach have following

Service Delivery Points and Services :

1. Kutumb Sudhar Kendra KSK
2. Kutumb Niyojan Adarsh Kendra KNAK
3. Planned Parenthood Centre PPC
4. Prajanan Swasthya Kendra PSK

At all the above service delivery points, the Branch provides the following quality reproductive and sexual health care services:

* All kinds of spacing methods for family planning, Laparoscopic ligations and Non scalpel vasectomies

* MTP procedures which include Medical Method of Abortion (MMA), Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) and Electrical Vacuum Aspiration (EVA) with pre and post procedure counseling

* Gynecological check ups including Pap smears

* Infertility investigations including diagnostic laparoscopies, semen analysis and IUI when needed

* Counseling for all reproductive services, STI detection and treatment, particularly for high risk clients like bar girls, Men having Sex with Men (MSM) and single migrant loom workers

* Voluntary Counseling Testing Centres (VCTC) at two of the clinics
Sexuality education, counseling and clinical services for adolescent boys and girls at our Adolescent centers

* Development of strong networking and referral systems with the municipal/government hospitals and private practitioners around the respective centers. Such linkages were established with twelve similar voluntary organizations to advocate the SRH issues with the ongoing programmes

* Development and distribution of IEC material.

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