Sex Works Use Smart Cards

Through a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation about 500 sex workers in Mysore now have chip-embedded smart cards. The smart cards can be used for discounts in certain hotels and shops. The smart cards even earn them loyalty points at the locations that can be utilized on later purchases. But that is not the only benefit to having a smart card. The cards also hold the medical record of the sex worker, who has agreed to get his or her health checked once every three months. If the sex worker fails to check their health then their smart card becomes inactive. Naturally, the sex workers are checked for STDs and are provided treatment if necessary.

The smart card initiative is being implemented by Ashodaya Women's Co-ordination Committee, Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT) and Pennant Consulting Services. KHPT reaches about 1.400 women sex workers and about 200 males in Mysore. The identified the smart card as more valuable then a regular health card because the most by products constantly to remain attractive for clients. To read this article in its entirety please click on this link.