Re: Health services for MSM and Transgenders

[Guest guest]

Dear Sugata Mukhopadhyay,

/message/10737

I would like to appreciate you for raising the current issue among the MSM and

transgender. This is one of the high risk groups which require evidence-based

specific interventions. I would like to share my thoughts on this as i have

conducted research among transgenders about their sexual practices and STIs/

HIV/AIDS.

But to the contrary of your point, the weakness is not only at the service

delivery point, the HIV/AIDS interventions for MSM and TG is not effective at

every stage including, designing, planning and implementation.

To address this, in Tamil Nadu, India Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society

(TANSACS) has conducted studies among transgender. Presently, TANSACS along with

AIDS Prevention and Control Program (APAC) conducting research on STIs in all

high risk groups (except Injecting Drug Users) including MSM and TG.

To certain extent sensitization and trainings are being conducted at government

STI clinics on MSM and TG related issues.

But as you have mentioned, there is a long way to go to provide optimal service

for the MSM and TG community based upon the need. Some of the needs based on the

findings of a research study among male-to-female transgender by TANSACS through

Solidarity and Action Against HIV Infection (SAATHII) are as follows:

Sensitive and trained Health Care Providers

Infrastructure and facilities to strengthen for addressing transgender related

health issues, such as providing confidentiality, maintenance of privacy for

clinical examination etc.

Policy for accepting the self-identity of transgender at the health care

settings

Resources for treating Herpes infection

Resources for immunization against HBV

Considering alcohol intervention along with HIV/AIDS intervention

Hope to expect response from group which would get the attention of policy

makers and program designers for designing, planning and implementing effective

HIV/AIDS interventions among MSM and transgender.

Thanks,

Saravanamurthy PS

Behavioral and Bio-medical Researcher

Mobile: 91- 9841001638

Email: sarav101@...

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr. Mukhopadhyay,

Re: /message/10737

I agree with you that the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of STI in MSM and

and transgenders is a difficult topic that so far has not received enough

attention.

The two major barriers to the provision of high-quality STI health services to

MSM/TG are stigma and discrimination in the health

care setting and a lack of experience and knowledge in caring for MSM/TG

patients among health care providers.

In order to address stigma and discrimination, my group has organized

desensitization workshops for the staff of NGOs, government agencies, and

service providers in several countries in Asia.

These workshops are usually 1 day and aim to increase knowledge about MSM/TG.

Most health care professionals and NGO workers have never had any formal

training about MSM/TG. Workshops such as this provide an opportunity to learn

about and discuss issues relating to MSM/TG in a professional and educational

setting.

In regard to training for health care workers on the clinical care of

MSM/TG, you should be aware that I-TECH has produced a training curriculum

entitled " A Training for Health Care Providers Working with Men who have Sex

with Men and Transgender Persons. "

This curriculum was produced specifically for use in Asia and is available at:

http://www.searchitech.org/itech?page=ff-09-03

The training curriculum has been successfully implemented in Thailand and

Vietnam as well as in other countries.

Best Regards,

Donn Colby

---------------------------------

Donn Colby, MD, MPH

Medical Director

Harvard Medical School AIDS Initiative in Vietnam (HAIVN)

Mob: +84-91-314-6750

Email: donn@...

Website: www.haivn.org