FPAI outlines comprehensive healthcare initiatives in Nagaland

KOHIMA — The Family Planning Association of India (FPAI), which has been working on sexual and reproductive health for the last 75 years, has launched the SPRINT IV project which focuses on preventing sexual and reproductive health, morbidity and mortality.

Vincent Belho, FPAI general manager of Nagaland branch-Kohima, informed this during a press conference held at the office of the Kohima Press Club (KPC) on Friday.

Apprising that over 110 million people have been forced to flee their homes, driven by three interconnected realities namely violent conflict, climate change and extreme poverty, Belho said almost half of those are children, who ‘are living through the greatest displacement crisis in recorded history.’

During conflicts, natural disasters and public health emergencies, he stated that sexual and reproductive health needs are often overlooked leading to staggering consequences. He also explained how pregnant women face life-threatening complications without access to delivery and emergency obstetric care services.

Under such circumstances, he stated that women and girls might lose access to family planning services, exposing them to unintended pregnancies in perilous conditions. He added that they also become more vulnerable to sexual violence, exploitation and HIV infection.

Apprising that people are evacuated to relief camps or neighboring communities during emergencies and crises, Belho noted that the impact of emergencies varies across different communities.

“In such situations, protection mechanisms and service delivery break down, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services are essential and must continue,” he said.

Belho mentioned that FPAI, through its Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), ensures that clusters are identified via organisations and agencies to lead MISP implementation.

He stated that this preparedness involves training humanitarian personnel in collaboration with volunteers, partner organisations, district-level disaster management and health service delivery systems.

He informed that FPA India’s Nagaland branch is one of 12 branches across the FPAI network selected for implementation, training and advocacy, and will respond within 72 hours of a disaster when normal functioning and machinery require supportive action. 

He explained that MISP is a set of life-saving activities to be implemented at the onset of every humanitarian crisis and is an internationally accepted minimum standard of care for reproductive health pioneered by IPPF. The SRH services outlined in MISP can mean the difference between life and death for people affected by disasters.

The objectives of MISP for SRH are to designate a leading organisation, prevent sexual violence and aid survivors, reduce HIV and STI-related morbidity and mortality, decrease maternal and neonatal deaths, prevent unintended pregnancies, integrate comprehensive SRH services into primary healthcare swiftly and ensure legal access to safe abortion in health facilities.

Punasongla Jamir, FPAI counselor of Nagaland branch-Kohima, apprised their aim to provide healthcare services, particularly SRH services to the key population under the C-19 RM KP Grant Global Fund (GF)-Plan India 2023-24.

She noted that the project is implemented in 10 branches with the Nagaland branch being one of them. Under this project, a doctor, specialist services, two counselors, and a lab technician are available.

The objectives of the GF project included strengthening pathways to social protection, increasing awareness, rights and opportunities, advocating for change, providing integrated health clinic and specialist clinical services, offering comprehensive sexual education (CSE sessions) for young people living with HIV (PLHIV) and delivering services for aging PLHIV.

The key populations (KP) under GF include PLHIV, injecting drug users (IDU), male sex workers (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), transgender, non-binary/ bisexual individuals and partners of KP/ high-risk groups (HRG).

The Nagaland Branch primarily focuses on PLHIV and IDU among those key populations.

Under GF, service included availability of a medical officer from Tuesday to Friday between 1 pm and 5 pm for specialist services. Psychiatry services are offered on the 3rd and 4th Thursday monthly from 2 pm to 5 pm, while physician services are provided on the 2nd and 4th Saturday monthly from 10 am to 12 noon. Obstetric and gynecological services are available by appointment.

In addition, cervical cancer screening, laboratory services, contraceptive services, and counseling are available between 10 am and 5 pm from Monday to Friday.

Monthly programmes under GF included comprehensive sexual education (CSE) sessions with young PLHIV and key populations, outreach health services and support group meetings.