A New Era for Sexual Health in India
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AHF India Cares distributed more than 5,000 free condoms at the Conference of Indian Association for the Study of STDs & AIDS.
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AHF India Cares highlighted its innovative SWIFT Clinic Network at the recent 49th Conference of the Indian Association for the Study of STDs & AIDS (IASSTD & AIDS), showcasing a new approach to introducing sexual health into mainstream medical practice. The team also hosted a booth to share services and distribute free condoms, promoting HIV and STI awareness.
The SWIFT (Sexual Wellness Initiatives & Fast-Tracking Treatment) Clinic Network is designed to transform healthcare delivery by encouraging collaboration across multiple disciplines, including general medicine, surgery, ophthalmology, gynecology, and public health. It bridges community trust and national health priorities, offering a scalable solution to reduce India’s burden of undiagnosed HIV and STIs.
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AHF India Cares Country Program Director Dr. V. Sam Prasad presents the SWIFT Clinic Network.
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"The SWIFT Clinic Network will engage doctors and healthcare providers across India to identify HIV/STI cases and ensure patients receive timely treatment," said Dr. V. Sam Prasad, AHF India Cares Country Program Director "I foresee, in the not-too-distant future, the stigma of HIV/STIs within the medical community coming down, creating an environment where anyone can seek HIV/STI services without fear, and where these services are fully mainstreamed, free of stigma and discrimination.”
AHF India Cares began operations in 2004 and now serves more than 4,000 clients.
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Supporting Healthcare Heroes in Estonia
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AHF Estonia hosted mental health trainings for 40 healthcare workers and caregivers.
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At Ida-Viru Central Hospital in Kohtla-Järve, AHF Estonia recently hosted a series of mental health trainings for nurses, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals, recognizing that those who care for others also need care themselves.
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The sessions, conducted in both Russian and Estonian, explored ways to stay
connected with one’s emotions and practice trauma-awareness in working with clients. Led by a psychotherapist specializing in crisis management and trauma care, the trainings equipped participants with tools to strengthen their emotional awareness and resilience in demanding healthcare environments.
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Participants take part in an interactive session during the mental health training.
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AHF Estonia launched in 2009 and currently serves nearly 500 people.
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Karine Duverger: Strength in the Face of HIV
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HAITI
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Karine Duverger is AHF Haiti's Country Program Manager. Her story is next in our "I Am AHF" series featuring remarkable staff, clients, and partners who are doing what's right to save lives every day.
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"This cause is not just my profession; it is part of who I am," said Karine.
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HIV/AIDS has always been deeply personal for me. In September 1989, I lost my aunt, the first member of our family to succumb to AIDS. The following year, I lost three childhood friends to the disease while they were still living in Haiti. In 1992, another
childhood friend was diagnosed with HIV in Cameroon, Africa. She eventually returned to the United States for treatment and, thanks to advancements in medical research and her persistence, is still living with an undetectable status 33 years later.
Tragically, in 1993, I lost my father to AIDS. Visiting him in Haiti, I saw firsthand how severe the stigma was, so severe that nurses and doctors were afraid to touch him. At that time, being HIV positive in Haiti was seen as a death sentence.
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These early experiences shaped my purpose and passion. Today, 32 years later, I serve as Country Program Manager for AHF Haiti, a role I have held for the past 10 years, leading one of the largest HIV/AIDS programs in
the country. Under my leadership, AHF Haiti has made significant strides, particularly in advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. Just three years ago, mentioning gay pride was nearly impossible in Haiti; today, we have successfully held three Pride Day events across the country.
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Empowering Communities through Nepal’s HIV Legislation
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Leaders at the National Policy Workshop highlight the importance of passing Nepal’s National HIV Bill to strengthen inclusive services and ensure an equitable HIV response.
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AHF Nepal is working to advance a long-delayed National HIV Bill, a crucial step to protect the rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV), fight discrimination, and ensure fair access to health and social services. To push for the bill’s ratification, AHF and the National NGOs Network Group Against AIDS Nepal partnered with the Ministry of Health and Population and NAP+N to host a National Policy Workshop.
“Nepal has waited 16 years for this bill. Without timely legal action, the rights of people living with HIV cannot be safeguarded. Parliament must act with urgency,” said the Honorable Amar Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of the Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee, Federal Parliament of Nepal.
More than 70 parliamentarians, government officials, and community representatives identified service gaps, addressed systemic barriers, and highlighted the need for stronger social support and family involvement. The workshop concluded with a signed declaration of support, signaling political backing and a clear roadmap for action.
AHF Nepal has provided comprehensive HIV services since 2009 and today serves more than 16,000 clients.
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