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Health Program
The health status of street and neglected children is almost inevitably poor. This stems from a variety of factors that are part of their existence - poor access to health care; unhygienic living conditions and poor nutrition. In addition, they are prone to substance abuse and to sexual practices that put them at high risk to HIV/AIDS.
SBT children most commonly require medical help in dealing with skin diseases, cuts & wounds, chest infections (including pulmonary TB), diarrhoea and other vector borne diseases.
SBT arranges regular medical checkups to monitor and improve the health status of its beneficiaries. Primary health services are provided at each of the Trust's homes; however, children acquiring specialized treatment are referred to identified health institutions. All children are vaccinated against Hepatitis, Tetanus, Typhoid, Cholera, and Meningitis.
Health Post
SBT runs a health post at General Railway Police Station. A doctor with a team provides immediate, short term and referral services from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm for five days a week. First aid, treatment of STD/STIs, Tuberculosis, skin diseases and venereal diseases are regular medical activities. Health post also organizes general health camps and special camps for HIV/AIDS and STD/STI, drugs de-addiction and immunization.
Drug De - Addiction
Street children are exposed to drugs and other addictive substances at an age when they are not fully aware of the implications of consuming these. The range of addictions is wide - solvents, spirits, opium, marijuana, heroin, tobacco, pan, gutka and alcohol
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Health
Awareness Campaigns
While aiming to improve the living conditions of children under its care, SBT also seeks to spread awareness of health practices and their relationship to disease among its client communities. Drugs and HIV/AIDS are two areas SBT particularly focuses on, using health camps and health melas to disseminating information about healthy habits & practices.
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During the year under review, 2 health awareness camps were conducted.
- An AIDS awareness campaign held at Ajmeri Gate on International AIDS Day on 1st December 2006 addressed 8,000 beneficiaries.
- 35 awareness sessions were held on health and hygiene, HIV/AIDS/STD/STIs
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HIV
Care & Support & Prevention
An SBT conducted survey among 100 street children at the New Delhi Railway Station, revealed that 86% of boys in the age group 14 - 18 yrs were sexually active; however an abysmally low number of them knew about safe sex protection and condom usage. Not one of them reported having ever used a condom. The study signaled that such children run a high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS due to
Lack of proper knowledge about sex, sexuality, HIV/AIDS, STDs and condom usage
Lack of access to health services for treatment of STDs
Risky behavior practices including homosexual activities
In view of these findings, a community based HIV/AIDS care & support project was initiated in July 2001. This was augmented by an HIV/AIDS prevention project funded by USAID/FHI. SBT has screened 450 children, and none of them were found HIV positive. The project aims to enhance children's access to information and care in respect of HIV/AIDS & STDs. In addition, it hopes to diminish the stigmas and discrimination against children affected by AIDS, by mobilizing community and peer support for AIDS victims.
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