STD camp for Street Children

Karunalaya conducted a Sexually Transmitted Diseases Screening Camp, particularly for Street Children, on July 29, 2004, at Lones Square Park, Broadway, Chennai – 600 001.

Karunalaya has been working for STD, HIV / AIDS Intervention among Street Children in North Chennai. It is now two years since the beginning of the intervention in 2002. During this three year programme, Karunalaya has identified new street children with risky sexual behaviour. 

A Screening Camp was conducted to identify and treat children with STI problems at larger level. Also the street children are highly mobile and do not give priority to health, hygiene and related issues. This camp thus enabled those children between the age of 14 – 18 years an opportunity for treatment. STD, HIV / AIDS Intervention among Street children is the first-of-its kind.

The programme started with a welcome address by N. Paul Sunder Singh, Director, Karunalaya. In his address he talked about the 226 STI Cases identified and treated during the last two years – all children and the need for concerted intervention.

Dr P Kuganatham, UNICEF Consultant, the chief guest, spoke about the various schemes such as SHG, Money saving, Education for the development of Individual. With regard to STD, HIV/AIDS, he said it is an infection that puts the individual at high risk to catch HIV/AIDS and referred to the screening camp as a mode of Primary Prevention. He also said that like Tuberculosis, STD is also curable. Proper treatment at the right time can cure the malady, he pointed out.

Dr. Arunkumar, Venerologist, Govenment General Hospital, in his special address asked the participants to feel free to approach the doctors, express their problem and get treated for their ailments.

Sharing by Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries of the project were asked to share their experience on the intervention programme of Karunalaya. Manikandan, a street boy, was working at Central Railway Station as an unauthorized coolie was infected with by Peri-Anal Absease, a STD, as a result of sexual contact with a woman involved in prostitution. He was admitted in Govenment General Hospital and was treated. He shared his experience with the public and asked them to take medical assistance when in doubt so as not to be in trouble later. He added that the venereal infection was extremely painful in contrast to mere momentary pleasure. He requested the participants to abstain from sex as far as possible and use condoms if it was irresistible.

Manjula, a 17-year-old, peer educator, said that she among others was at first disgusted to hear about STD, HIV/AIDS. But after finding a number of peers having STI complaints, "we understood Karunalaya and the need for the programme".

Outcome of this Medical Camp

In this STD Screening Camp, 141 persons participated, 74 of them STREET CHILDREN between the age of 14 and 18 years. The list of beneficiaries is as follows.

Three doctors from Government General Hospital treated the children and two laboratory technicians took blood samples of the participants. The participants were given drugs under Syndromic Case Management method and blood samples from them were collected for laboratory testing. Participants were given a referral card, which can be used during follow-up visit to hospital and also to know the laboratory blood test results.

The project co-ordinator S Jeyaram proposed a vote of thanks. He thanked the Chief Guest, Doctors, CAPACS, Corporation Officials and participants of the camp.

Future Course of action

1. Those who had undergone treatment will be followed up to check if they are taking medicines regularly.
2. The sexual partners of the Street Children with STI complaints will be found and counselled to undergo STI screening and treatment.
3. The children will be followed up to find the blood test results.
4. Safe sex practices will be taught. 
5. Behaviour Change Communication will be given.

For details contact: N Paul Sunder Singh
Director – KARUNALAYA
108, Seniamman Koil street
Tondiarpet, Chennai – 600 081.
Phone:25971214, 25976574.
Email: Karunalaya@hotmail.com

Natasha Gariyali
mirror_reflection@rediffmail.com

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Published on 2^nd Aug, 2004