Health professionals trained on sexualised drug use and LGBTQIA+ mental health
Kathmandu, June 14 -- Marking Pride Month, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) organised a two-day training for health professionals on chemsex harm reduction and LGBTQIA+ mental health support. Led by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under the ministry, the orientation aimed to equip health workers with the skills to provide inclusive and stigma-free care. Held from June 11, the orientation trained psychiatrists, general practitioners, medical officers, and opioid agonist therapy nurses from Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Parsa, Rupandehi, and Kaski districts. According to the organisers, the training was designed to raise awareness among healthcare providers about the rising use of sexualised drugs, known as chemsex, and its impact on the mental health of the users. Facilitated by advocacy groups, Blue Diamond Society and Recovering Nepal, the training was conducted under the Chemsex Harm Reduction Project, supported by British pharmaceutical company...