
Southern India prostitutes have been awarded with discount shopping cards in return for having regular checks for HIV at a sexual health clinic as part of the HIV/AIDS awareness program.
According to the UNAIDS which is the United Nation's AIDS-prevention agency India has largest number of people, an estimated 5.7 million people living with the HIV virus.
Sushena Reza-Paul of the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust said, "They were very particular about us including a sari shop. Presentation is very important for them.
Reza-Paul also said that flashing a credit card-sized piece of plastic helped to boost the sex workers' self-esteem.
She said, 'They tell me that only rich people can normally have these kind of cards -- so it gives them a sense of pride and belonging.'