Sonagachi is reputed to be Asia’s largest red light district, and is located in Kolkata.
In a novel step, NACO is rolling out a pilot project in HIV prevention. Under this program, HIV negative prostitutes will be given AIDS prevention medicines, so that they do not contract it in their exposure to HIV positive clients.
The project has been financed by the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation, and the survey to identify the HIV positive and HIV negative prostitues has already started to enable smooth implementation of this pilot project.
Once successful, it is expected to be replicated across the nation.
