Innovative health card launched for sex workers

Mysore, May 26 (UNI) For the first time in the country, as many as 500 sex workers from the district will get smart cards, an innovative health card, launched by the Ashodya Mahila Samanwayas Samithi (AMSS), a community-based organisation.

The smart card project, the brain child of Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT), AMSS and Pennat Consulting Services, providers of software for the card, was launched as a pilot initiative in the district and would spread to neighbouring districts in future.

Speaking after handing over the first card to AMSS Secretary Bhagyalakshmi at the concluding day of the two-day national meet of sex workers here today, Karnataka State Aids Prevention Society Project Director Shashidhar said to keep the card valid, sex workers should turn up for health check up at least once in three months.

Women had to report at their own health clinic set up by the KHPT.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Bhagyalakshmi said sex workers face social stigma and discrimination in their day to day life. The smart card was not just plastic money, but a symbol of self-esteem.

It gave sex workers a sense of belonging to the society.

''It not only offered business transactions, but also provided access to health services and gave us the pride that we are using an IT tool,'' she added.

Malini, a sex worker from Kerala, who had penned her autobiography, was honoured on the occasion.

The conference passed several resolutions, including networking with organisations of the states, national and international level, providing care and support to AIDS patients, extending healthcare to sex workers and their dependents, imparting legal literacy and providing legal support to members, undertaking specific activities for old sex workers and addressing other needs of sex workers and their children.

Over 150 sex workers from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Kerala, besides Karnataka, took part in the event.

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