Low-income women in Bali have little access to decent health care.  This project has been designed as one set of intervention activities to meet the needs of vulnerable women in the general population in Bali.   The fourth floor of the main Denpasar market (the busiest traditional marketplace on the island) houses a small but efficient Reproductive Health Services Center.  The goals of the Yayasan Rama Serana Clinic (YRS) are:

to increase community awareness in Bali of important information about reproductive health (including STDs and HIV/AIDS).

to empower the women market vendors who play an significant role in disseminating information within the family/community, with accurate and important information about reproductive health (including STDs and HIV/AIDS).

to increase the knowledge base of HIV/AIDS with a comprehensive VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Training) program.

The YRS clinic also offers testing and counseling on all types of issues having to do with reproductive health as well as breast and cervical cancer.  Pap smears are performed here and the results are discussed in detail with the women clients so that they understand their options.   The clinic is currently open five days and one evening a week and is accessible to all 8,000–some women vendors and customers at the market.

VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing) for HIV/AIDS has been available at YRS since 2010.  A specially trained counselor is on hand to talk about HIV/AIDS with clients and refer those who are positive for treatment at an appropriate medical facility.

In 2011, there are 11 peer counselors from the market vendors.  These women encourage (and distribute) condom use as well as try and get their peers to get pap smears at YRS and attend the monthly educational meetings.

Throughout 2011, YRS has provided educational programs in 8 additional traditional markets in Denpasar. During the next 5 years, starting in 2012 they will expand their clinical services to all traditional markets in Bali.

Photo Albums

YRS Reproductive Health Clinic