Budhwar Peth residents are in the high-risk group of swine flu infection
Indian Express: Many sex workers in Budhwar Peth are HIV positive and they remain one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to contracting the H1N1 virus. “The immunity level of an HIV positive person is low. There is a possibility of them being infected by the H1N1 virus faster than a normal person. They come under the high risk group. Their profession also brings them in close contact with an affected client. Immediate prevention measures should be taken in such vulnerable areas,” said Dr Anil Jayawant, resident medical doctor, Pune Cantonment Board.
Sex workers said for the last couple of days there has been a decline in the number of people visiting the brothels. “Most of the sex workers here are not aware of the flu,” said Payal, a 25-year-old sex worker. She added that a few sex workers who were down with flu didn’t take it seriously.
NGOs working in the area said they were doing their best to create awareness. According to Tejaswi Savekari , director, Saheli, an NGO working with sex workers in Budhwar Peth, there has been around 50 per cent decline in the visit here. “We are doing our best to create awareness, but the authorities need to take preventive measures,” she said.
Though there are private doctors in the area, most of the sex workers visit the NGO’s in-house doctors. Dr Savera Pawar, project co-ordinator and medical officer of Kayakalpa, another NGO, said she hardly got any flu cases in last one week. “We tried to brief as many sex workers as possible. But I have not got any flu case in last one week. Usually, people don’t visit the clinic just for flu,” she said.
With stories doing the rounds that the virus can be sexually transmitted, some sex workers have stopped entertaining clients. “I am worried about my children getting affected. This is definitely hurting my daily income, but I have to take care of my child too,” said Saira, another sex worker.
Dr Jayawant said though the virus cannot be sexually transmitted, a sex worker coming in contact with an affected client will be at high risk.
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