Manthan

MANTHAN has been actively engaged with the MSM (Men who have Sex with Men), TG (Transgender), and Hijra communities in Dhanbad, Jharkhand since 2010, with support from Jharkhand State AIDS Control Society (JSACS) Ranchi. They have identified 12 hot spot areas in Dhanbad District through peer educators. They provide various free services in these areas, including HIV testing, syphilis testing, counselling, regular medical check-ups, and condom distribution. They follow the six components of Targeted Interventions. MANTHAN has identified 727 MSM, 121 TG individuals, and 6 PLHIV (People Living with HIV) in their MSM Project. All PLHIV are connected to the ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) centre in Dhanbad and receive regular medication for their improved health.

MANTHAN has been involved in outreach work with Female Sex Workers (FSW) in Shahibganj District, Jharkhand, since 2016, with support from the Jharkhand State AIDS Control Society (JSACS) Ranchi. They operate in 8 hot spot areas within Shahibganj District. Peer educators help in identifying these areas and connecting with the FSW community to offer free services, including HIV testing, syphilis testing, counseling, regular medical checkups, and condom distribution. MANTHAN follows the six components of Targeted Interventions. They have identified 617 FSWs in the area, and there are 2 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in their FSW Project. All PLHIV receive regular medication and support through the ART centre in Sahibganj for improved health.

MANTHAN has been actively involved with Female Sex Workers (FSW) in Pakur District, Jharkhand, since 2021, with the support of Jharkhand State AIDS Control Society (JSACS) Ranchi. They operate in 15 hot spot areas within Pakur District, identified with the assistance of peer educators. MANTHAN provides free services, including HIV testing, syphilis testing, counseling, regular medical checkups, and condom distribution to the FSW community. They adhere to the six components of Targeted Interventions. In the area, they have identified 892 FSW, and their FSW Project includes 3 People Living with HIV (PLHIV). All PLHIV receive regular medication and support through the ART center for improved health.

Manthan implemented the TI Plus project called "Pehchan" among the MTH (Men who have Sex with Men, Transgender, and Hijra) groups in Dhanbad from December 2012 to June 2015, sponsored by SAATHII Kolkata. The project aimed to reach 2,000 MTH groups, and they exceeded this target by reaching 2,252 groups during the project duration. They provided a range of counselling services, including HIV testing, RMC (Reproductive and Maternal Child Health) services, syphilis testing, and other services like TB screening. As a significant project outcome, a Community-Based Organization (CBO) named "ADHIKAR" was registered under the Indian Trust Act with the Dhanbad Registry Office. This registration reflects the formal establishment of the CBO as a recognised entity in the region, furthering its mission and services within the community.

MANTHAN is engaged in an initiative to understand and address the reproductive and sexual health needs of the LGBTQIA+ communities in Dhanbad District, supported by USAID MOMENTUM. To achieve this goal, they surveyed 12 sites and 70 hot spots. Through this survey, they compiled a line listing of 512 LGBTQIA+ community members. Additionally, they have developed a one-year work plan, held advocacy meetings with block health service providers in various blocks within Dhanbad District (including Dhanbad Sadar, Govindpur, Baghmara, and Sindri), and worked with NPI/Jhiepgo to create questionnaires related to the family planning and sexual and reproductive health needs of the LGBTQIA+ communities. This project aims to improve access to and the quality of healthcare services for this community in the region.