‘Focus is on safe sex and overall development of CSWs’

In 1999, when the then collector Manu Kumar Shrivastava revived the Indian Red Cross Society (IRSC) in Nagpur in collaboration with Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society, high instances of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) was a burning issue. 19 years down the line, there has been a drastic reduction in the number of cases, says Dr

RP Singh

, the secretary of the IRCS’S Nagpur Chapter.

As December is celebrated as AIDS awareness month, Dr Singh, who is also the head of department at GMC’s skin department, shared his observations on the current scenario and ideas on how health situation among commercial sex workers can further be improved.

Excerpts from the interview...

Q. How different was the health scene in commercial sex workers 19 years ago?

A. In the 90s, when I used to work at Mayo hospital, we used to treat about 20-30 patients with STDs every month. People used to think it was a curse. We used to distribute condoms by going to sex workers’ homes and make them understand that diseases are being transmitted through their clients. Initially, we conducted camps almost every day. We would enquire about their health continuously. Even today, we keep tracking diseases among sex workers and refer them to the nearest hospital. However, awareness among them has increased. While instances of STDs have gone down, cases of HIV too have decreased. Initially, we used to give them a condom, now they come and collect it themselves. They are doing it on their own, we don’t force anything. 1.5 lakh condoms are given by us every month, and our aim is to make health activities self-sustainable.

Q. Can you describe the psyche of women working in city’s red-light area?

A. There are approximately 3,500 sex workers in ‘Ganga Jamuna’. It is a floating population. Sometimes they may feel bored or fed up, other times, they are transferred when they start having repeated customers in order to avoid any love affair. Most of the are from Agra, Pune, Chhattisgarh, MP, Rajasthan and Nepal. Not all sex workers want to be rescued. They take it as a profession and many of their children have chosen careers of teachers or lawyers.

Q. What is your opinion on The Immoral Traffic (Suppression) Act (SITA)?

A. I feel, what is the point of regulations if they are not going to be implemented? Commercial sex is the oldest profession in the world. The more it remains hidden, the more problems arise. There are more workers spread in the city, than those who stay at Ganga Jamuna. Just as liquor and cigarette sells, so does commercial sex. Channels for commercial sex must be kept open, just like in many other countries where it has not posed much problem. In fact, in such countries, sex workers undergo month health check-ups and are given certificates. The Netherlands is the only country which offers education for commercial sex. Like late Atal Bihari Vajpayee says, we don’t need discipline, we need self-discipline.

Q. How can health among commercial sex workers be improved?

A. Infections will be kept at bay only when condoms are used properly, at a proper time and with proper disposal. Not just correct knowledge, but the right attitude and practice inculcated in them will go a long way. Many years ago, in Africa, big posters urging citizens to use mosquito-nets were printed. However, the concept flopped. When asked, a common African said, ‘Our area does not have mosquitoes as big as the ones shown in the poster.’ It is important to analyse if the message is being passed on clearly and feedback is an effective tool. Partners of those affected should also be checked, as they maybe the source of the infection or the recipient. When we find one person affected with three, there is a probability of discovering two more patients close to them. A study done by Red Cross Society reveals that seven people can be affected by the infection passed through one person. Every day, nearly 20,000 people visit the area. Imagine how risky unsafe sex could be.

Q. What are the other works done by IRCS in the red-light area?

A. We don’t just focus on the concept of safe sex, but for overall development. We have helped them with Aadhaar card, ration card, bank accounts. We have helped turn gravel paths to cemented lanes by involving corporators. We have looked after problems in the schools among other things and we take interest in improving their social life. We have trained persons from the community to look after health activities and report to us. We have created these groups area-wise, locality wise and in accordance with their background and mother tongue.


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