Odisha: Advocacy initiative to fight against stigma and discrimination

[Guest guest]

An advocacy workshop was organized by SAKHA an organization fighting for the

rights and dignity of sexual minority population in the state of Odisha on

04.08.2010 in the premises of Capital Hospital on 04-07-2010, to improve

knowledge level of health care providers (staff Nurse) on Sexual Minority

population who are vulnerable to HIV infection.

The primary objective was to address stigma and discrimination by service

providers against sexual minority population.

The Guest of Honour was Ms. Smita Jagdev, Joint Director Odisha State AIDS

Control Society, Dr. Srichandan Nodal Officer, HIV & AIDS District Head quarter

Hospital and Dr. Mitali Mohanty, Training and Coalition Coordinator, SAATHIII

Some of the key decisions taken on this day were:

To ensure that Capital Hospital is a discrimination free zone for sexual

minorities and people living with HIV.

Without consent of client the status of the client will not be disclosed.

Frequent orientation and sensitization workshops will be undertaken by the

Hijras on provision of services to sexual minorities and PLHIV

The programme was a initiative supported by HIV/AIDS Alliance and SAATHII and

organized by Anita Kinner, Satya Sundar Mishra (Subham) and Mayadhar

Parida(Meera)

Sarita

e-mail: <saritabarpanda@...>