Free health camp for sex workers in Sultanpuri

Around 300 women, most of them sex workers, have been given free health check-ups in north-west Delhi’s Sultanpuri.

Around 300 women, most of them sex workers, have been given free health check-ups in north-west Delhi’s Sultanpuri.

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A free health check-up camp was organised last week by the Fortis Foundation and Drishtikon, a not-for-profit organisation. It was to ensure that underprivileged women and children in the area, who have limited access to health care, are examined for basic conditions such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, hygiene and eyesight problems.

“We have checked nearly 300 women and children in the camp today. Most of them suffer from various micro-nutrient deficiencies and were given dietary supplements. There were many with symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases and they we asked to come to the hospital for detailed examination and treatment,” said Dr Neha George, resident medical officer at Fortis, Shalimar Bagh.

“We are fully aware of the risks involved. Every six months, we undergo HIV test in the local government hospital. Local NGOs help us a lot,” said Shahana (name changed), one of the sex workers at the camp.

Local NGOs recruit people from within the community to develop a rapport with the women to ensure their health is not neglected. “We recruit peer educators from within them and give them incentives to work with us,” said Monika Mendiratta, of Drishtikon.