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Victims of trafficking face serious health risks such as exposure to sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS), reproductive health problems (unwanted pregnancies, infections, etc.), complications associated with teenage pregnancies, physical trauma caused by severe violence, psychological and mental health disorders, communicable diseases (such as tuberculosis or hepatitis), as well as substance abuse problems. At the Centre, general practitioners, nurses, psychiatrists and other specialists provide emergency medical assistance to the beneficiaries. If and when further testing or treatments are necessary, the practitioners at the Centre will refer and accompany the beneficiary to specialized facilities.
Andrei, 22, is a victim of labor exploitation, who was trafficked to a construction site in Russia in 2007. The conditions he was forced to work in were such that after suffering a spine fracture he did not receive the necessary medical care. As a consequence, Andrei became unable to walk or take care of himself. Following his repatriation Andrei was referred to IOM Moldova for medical assistance. Andrei began the rehabilitation process, and IOM staff identified a clinic where he could receive specialized treatment. Andrei’s injury required spine prosthesis, and IOM provided the funds for the surgery. After the successful operation in December 2008, Andrei was able to sit up in a few weeks, showing the first signs that in the near future he will be able to walk. It will be a long road to recovery requiring significant effort on both Andrei’s and the service providers’ end; however, there is a strong will from both ends to achieve full recovery.
A donation of $200 will assist in covering the costs of the basic medical examinations for a victim like Andrei
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All photos credit: © Dana Popa
Disclaimer: The names in these stories have been changed to protect the identities of IOM beneficiaries. The people appearing in these photographs are IOM beneficiaries, but not the individuals mentioned in these stories.
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