By David Isabirye
Family Medical Point (FMP) executed a successful moonlight outreach at Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe Division B, Entebbe Municipality in Wakiso district on the famous Valentine’s Day.
A number of activities as voluntary blood testing, counseling, practical use of condoms (males and females) and other contraceptives, testimonies, entertainment (music and dancing) were conducted.
According to Polyne Nabwire, the head of programs at Family Medical Point, this moonlight outreach was targeted to raise awareness about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and to fulfil the FMP’s mission of reaching marginalized clusters of people as the sex workers, young people and women.
Rachael Nakakadde (not real name) is one of the sex workers in Nakiwogo landing site who has worked closely with Family Medical Point for 12 months now.
Nakakadde lauded the moonlight initiative given the services and convenience.
“The moonlight outreach is a life saver for many of us who cannot access services during the day due to stigma or fear. Now, I can get tested, talk to someone who understands, and take control of my health” she admitted.
“Before Family Medical Point came to Nakiwogo, I had no idea where to go for help. I was afraid of going to the health center because of the way people looked at me. Sometimes, we don’t even have condoms, we are forced to us Akaveera (polythene paper) to protect ourselves from unwanted pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections. When I witnessed Family Medical Point arrive with condoms, knowing I can take as many as I need with judgment, it gave me hope. It reminds me that organizations still care about our well-being as sex workers” she added.
“At Family Medical Point, we believe that access to Reproductive Health and Rights is a fundamental human right. Our work in fishing communities is a testament to the power of community-based interventions in transforming lives. However, we cannot do it alone. We need the Government, donors and other stakeholders to join us in this fight. Together, we can ensure that every woman, girl and marginalized individual has access to the healthcare they need to thrive” Moses Odongo, executive director of Family Medical Point.
Sex workers in fishing communities of Entebbe like Nakiwogo, Guuda, Kasenyi, Bugong and Kigungu face several challenges as limited access to SRH services and high rates of unsafe abortions, teenage pregnancies, HIV and sexual violence.
According to a 2023 study by the Uganda AIDS Commission, there are approximately 1500 sex workers in these areas.
Many experience stigma and discrimination, limiting their ability to seek medical help.
The distance to health care facilities further compounds these issues, making it difficult to access SRHR services.
HIV prevalence remains alarmingly high at 37% among sex workers in these communities, compared to the national average of 5.4% (UNAIDS, 2023).
Limited access to contraceptives has also contributed to high rates of un-intended pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
For starters, Family Medical Point is a not-for-profit organization that advocates, promotes and provides rights based comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services to young people, women, sexual minorities, marginalized, hard-to-reach and forgotten communities.
FMP enhances access to life saving high quality, affordable and inclusive healthcare services, particularly SHR services among minorities, key populations, marginalized communities and young people, promote health in schools, and empower women and girls to realize their full potential.
FMP conducts service delivery and advocacy, with one medical facility and partners with eight medical facilities in the fishing communities.
“Family Medical Point: We care, no matter what”
