Health Clinic

Like everyone, those who engage in street-based sex work require regular health care, but often face barriers to access, including stigma from healthcare professionals, or not feeling safe in local clinics.

For communities and people who face systemic barriers, stigma, and discrimination — such as street-based sex workers — accessing mainstream hospitals or clinics can present multiple barriers and result in avoidance.

Everyone should be able to receive care in a setting in which they feel safe and with practitioners they feel they can trust.

Fortunately, WISH has since become one of many community partners working with Kilala Lelum Urban Indigenous Health and Healing Cooperative’s Mobile Outreach Program. This mobile clinic provides primary care at outreach drop-in clinics in the Downtown Eastside.

This partnership has highlighted the critical need for the co-location of services. Providing medical care to locations where people feel safe and are already accessing multiple supports is a crucial step that is often missed by the health care system.