DURNS, partners conduct outreach programme at Corgat Estate ‘ghetto’ |09 March 2022
As part of activities to commemorate World Women’s Day which was yesterday, the Drugs Utilisation Response Network, in partnership with other agencies conducted an outreach programme on the Corgat Estate ‘ghetto’, including HIV testing, sexual reproduction and gender quality.
The exercise was conducted jointly by the Drugs Utilisation Response Network (DURNS), Alliance of Solidarity for the Family (ASFF) and Ministry of Health.
Other than carrying out HIV tests, the exercise also comprised counselling and handing out of small hampers with educational health materials, as well as condoms and other health-related products.
A creation of the HIV/Aids Support Organisation (Haso), with funding from the Global Fund through KANCO, an Aids NGO consortium based in Nairobi, Kenya, DURNS is registered by the government of Seychelles as a non-governmental organisation mandated to carry out its objectives with clear goals as stated in its constitution.
It is seeking attention and visibility among the people of Seychelles, while its objectives and goals need to be understood clearly, and its strategic and action plans ready to be rolled out is a real milestone.
It aspires to unite the people who use drugs in Seychelles in the spirit of respect and dignity, exposing and challenging stigma, discrimination, and the criminalisation of people who use drugs that impede access to comprehensive harm reduction services.
According to its chairperson Nathalie Antoine, DURNS strives to promote the health and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by drug use by advancing harm reduction policies, practices and programmes that address the adverse effects of drug use.
She said on the basis of gender equality, they believe that the correct information should be disseminated and reach everyone.
Ms Antoine urged the community to respect gender diversity and also pledged the support of DURNS towards all members within its community.
The accompanying photos show the team in action during their outreach visit yesterday.
Roland Duval
