2316 Risk occasions covered beyond office hours

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

2316 Risk occasions covered during 24 days span

Since the initiation of the DIC, 1939 PUD (including FIDUs) from all across the state has access harm reduction services during the span of 24 days. Till date 2211 injecting risk occasions and 150 sexual risk occasions have been covered safely with harm reduction services beyond the conventional office hours. Three OD cases reported at nights have also been responded successfully.

Within this short span we had also encountered harassment cases from different law enforcing agencies during the night time. Though no evidence based advocacy has been conducted so far a strong network has been established with the front lines of the law enforcers through casual interactions, which has also shown very effective.

In implementing the voices of the PUDs the Helping Hand DIC has also started operating on Sundays and holidays from 05:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.

It is also learned that a huge gap in accessing services Sunday and holidays denying the fact that these are the peak days of PUD.

The DIC has been implemented as an evening DIC in the Imphal west District since 2009 and was initially supported by renowned harm reduction activist and the funds from the rental service of LCD projector. Due to the inconsistency of funds the evening DIC could not been sustained and got defunct in the year 2010. We would be grateful to get suggestions and feedbacks in assuring a sustainable right based service towards our community.

(Few fotos attached)

Best regards,

Nameirakpam Moti.