The Family Planning Association of India (FPAI), Nagaland Branch held a sensitization meeting cum Media Meet with the Kohima Press Club (KPC) at the KPC Conference hall today.
The main purpose of the media meet was to build awareness on the humanitarian works of the Association and SRHIE advocacy of the Association which is to be included during disaster or protracted crisis situation with MISP.
During the media meet, Vincent Belho, General Manager, FPA India, Nagaland Branch Kohima highlighted FPAI’s service on sexual and reproductive health for the last 75 years. Belho announced that the FPAI has the SPRINT IV project which focuses on preventing sexual and reproductive health, morbidity and mortality.
“FPA India, Nagaland Branch is among 12 Branches across FPAI network selected for implementation and training and advocacy that will response within 72 hours of disaster where normal functioning and machinery needs supportive action,” said Belho.
Stressing that the world is witnessing the greatest displacement crisis in recorded history, Belho expressed that during conflicts, natural disasters and public health emergencies, sexual and reproductive health needs are often overlooked – with staggering consequences. “Pregnant women risk life-threatening complications without access to delivery and emergency obstetric care services. Women and girls may lose access to family planning services, exposing them to unintended pregnancy in perilous conditions. Women and girls also become more vulnerable to sexual violence, exploitation and HIV infection,” said Belho.
During times of emergencies and crisis, people are evacuated to Relief camps/centres, or neighbouring communities. The effect of emergencies differs for different communities. In such situation, protection mechanisms and service delivery breaks down. SRH services are essential and will have to be continued.
“FPA India with its Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) ensures that clusters are identified through organisations/agencies to lead MISP Implementation. This pre-preparedness for MISP is through training of humanitarian personnel in collaboration with volunteers, partners organisations, district level disaster management and health service delivery systems. Pre-preparedness is to bring all stakeholders together for collaboration and ready to response to emergencies,” highlighted Belho.
Punasongla Jamir, Counselor, FPA India, Nagaland Branch Kohima also updated on Global Fund (GF) project, Plan India which aims to provide health services, specifically Sexual and Reproductive Health(SRH) services to the key population. “It is implemented in 10 branches, Nagaland branch being one. Under this project we have a Doctor and Specialist services, two counsellors and a lab technician,” stated Jamir.
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The objectives of the GF project are:
-Strengthening pathways to social protection.
-Increasing awareness, rights and opportunities.
-Advocacy for change
-Integrated Health Clinic and Specialist Clinical services.
-CSE sessions for young PLHIVs and services for aging PLHIVs
-Key population under GF
-PLHIV
-IDUs
-MSM
-FSW
-Transgender
-Non- binary/ bisexual
-Partners of KP/HRGs
The main key population focused by Nagaland Branch are PLHIV and IDUs.
The Doctor services under GF are:
Medical officer – Tue to Fri (1:00 – 5:00 pm)
Specialist services
Psychiatry – 3rd and 4th Thursday monthly (2:00 – 5:00 pm)
Physician – 2nd and 4th Sat monthly (10:00 – 12:00 noon)
Obs & Gynecologist – on appointment
Further the monthly program under the GF project are:
CSE session with young PLHIVs and KP
Outreach Health services
Support group meeting
