Reactivating Drop-In Centers: A Lifeline for Female Sex Workers Who Use or Inject Drugs in Abia State

The sensitization workshop was conducted to raise awareness on sex related laws, VAPP Act, and also to strengthen the FSWs who use or inject drugs face heightened risks of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). As part of this vulnerable population, their health and well-being depend on access to essential healthcare services, harm reduction programs, and psychosocial support. Drop-in centers (DICs) play a pivotal role in addressing these needs, but in Abia State, the capacity of DICs to deliver comprehensive care has been severely hampered by inconsistent access to clinical supplies and insufficiently trained staff.
Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights (GWIHR) recognizes the urgency of addressing these challenges and recently convened a high-level stakeholder meeting aimed at reactivating and strengthening DICs in Abia State.

The Rationale for Action

Reactivating DICs in Abia State is not just a health imperative but a moral obligation to support a marginalized population. Without adequate resources and trained personnel, FSWs who use or inject drugs are left with limited options to protect their health. Ensuring the optimal functioning of these centers is critical to reducing the spread of infectious diseases, providing harm reduction services, and fostering an environment of inclusivity and support.

Goals and Objectives

The primary goal of this initiative is to ensure the reactivation and sustained functioning of DICs to provide comprehensive healthcare, harm reduction services, and psychosocial support for FSWs who use or inject drugs. Specific objectives include:
  • Securing a consistent supply of clinical consumables and essential health resources for DIC operations.
  • Facilitating dialogue among stakeholders to share information, build partnerships, and strategize on sustainable approaches to reactivating DICs in Abia State.

Key Discussion Points

  1. Resource Mobilization Participants identified the inconsistency in the supply of clinical consumables as a major barrier to effective service delivery. Essential items like syringes, needles, antiseptics, condoms, and testing kits are often unavailable. Strategies were discussed to secure commitments from the Ministry of Health and supporting organizations to establish a reliable supply chain for these resources.
  2. Training and Capacity Building The need for adequately trained healthcare workers was another critical issue. Targeted training programs were proposed to enhance the capacity of DIC staff to address the unique health challenges faced by FSWs who use or inject drugs. The Ministry of Health pledged support for these capacity-building efforts as part of its harm reduction strategy.
  3. Outreach and Community Engagement Expanding outreach efforts to ensure stigma-free access to DIC services was emphasized. Community representatives shared strategies to build trust and create an inclusive environment that encourages FSWs to utilize these services.
  4. Building Sustainable Partnerships Sustainability was a recurring theme. Participants discussed formalizing partnerships among government entities, NGOs, healthcare providers, and community-based organizations. Such collaborations would enable resource pooling and a unified approach to maintaining the DICs as vital healthcare hubs.
  5. Information Sharing and Data Collection Stakeholders highlighted the importance of collecting and sharing data on the health needs and service utilization patterns of FSWs. Enhanced data collection processes within DICs were proposed to inform interventions, monitor impact, and guide future resource allocation.

The Way Forward

The stakeholder meeting concluded with actionable commitments from all parties involved. Key next steps include:
  • Developing a supply chain management plan to ensure the steady availability of clinical consumables.
  • Organizing training sessions for healthcare workers, supported by the Ministry of Health.
  • Enhancing outreach activities to build trust and inclusivity within the target community.
  • Establishing formal partnerships to sustain DIC operations.
  • Improving data collection and analysis to guide policy and programmatic decisions.
By addressing these critical areas, the reactivation of DICs in Abia State will significantly enhance the healthcare and harm reduction services available to FSWs who use or inject drugs, ultimately safeguarding their health and dignity. GWIHR remains committed to leading this transformative initiative and ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing essential healthcare services.