Francia, Rene Antonio S. MD Remedios AIDS Foundation, Inc.
Manila Philippines

MODEL STD HEALTH FACILITY WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL SEX AREAS
OF TONDO MANILA: A LOCAL EXPERIENCE

ISSUE:

World Health Organization estimates that there were more than 250,000 sex workers in the Philippines in 1998. Given the nature of their work (i.e. multiple sexual partners and high STD prevalence) and the role of STD in enhancing HIV transmission, the sex workers and their clients form a significant group that need to be reached with effective STD services and education.

PROJECT:

The Remedios AIDS Foundation, Inc. established a Model Health Facility within a major commercial sex area in Tondo, Manila. It was designed to address the diverse and sensitive needs of the sex workers. Community outreach work allowed the project implementing team to reach its target audience in the establishments and those engaged in freelance sex work. IEC materials about STDs and HIV together with condoms wee distributed. On site clinical services were provided to the sex workers who have difficulty going to the model clinic. At the Clinic, teh sex workers were treated for their STD problems using the Syndromic Approach and counseled about the risks of their work in relation to personal health, HIV transmission and reproductive health.

RESULTS:

For the duration its initial operation (18 months), the clinic was able to address the needs of about 800 sex workers with more than 95% cure rate using the syndromic approach, thus, the Model Clinic proved to be an effective strategy in STD service delivery and education.

LESSONS LEARNED:

A Model STD Health Facility that employs a holistic approach encourages sex workers to avail services and seek treatment. Holistic in the sense that the design is non stigmatizing, non discriminating and non stereotyping.