Sampoorna Suraksha Kendra (SSK), an initiative under the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and supported by Global Fund Grant 2021-22, was officially launched at District Hospital Dimapur by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang on Wednesday.
The initiative aims to provide outreach to populations at risk for HIV and STIs.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Tinojongshi highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by HIV, acknowledging it as a serious societal issue.
He expressed gratitude to the medical professionals and NGOs working to combat the disease, and assured full support from the district administration.
Dr. Tinojongshi also emphasized the role of Church in raising awareness about HIV and lamented on the ongoing stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV. He however expressed the hope that SSK would help dismantle these barriers.
He suggested collaboration among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), medical professionals, and NGOs to address these issues, stressing that “only by working together can we remove stigmatization.”
Meanwhile, delivering keynote address, Project Director, NSACS, Dr. Ahu Sekhose, explained on the Sampoorna Suraksha Strategy (SSS), describing it as an “Immersion Learning Model” designed to identify the best strategies to prevent HIV among high risk populations.
The model, he said, would collect feedback, adapt on the go, and reach populations at risk of HIV and STIs, many of whom fall outside traditional high-risk categories.
He also reiterated government of India’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including goal to end HIV and AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
He further elaborated on the 95-95-95 strategy, aimed at fast-tracking the HIV response by ensuring that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive sustained treatment, and 95% of those receiving treatment achieve viral suppression.
Dwelling on the target population, he said SSS aims to engage populations often missed by routine HIV prevention efforts, including adolescents, young adults, and other individuals who engage in risky behaviors but do not necessarily belong to recognized High-Risk Groups (HRGs).
Further dwelling on the SSK centre and its roles, he informed that the SSK centers would offer a comprehensive service package, tailored to clients’ specific needs, which would include strong linkages to other services such as mental health care, reproductive health, legal aid, social security schemes, and disease prevention services for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and syphilis, among others.
To reach younger populations, Dr Sekhose stated that the SSS will leverage social media, virtual platforms, and NACO’s helpline (1097), offering services that protect client anonymity.
Further dwelling on the SSS implementation in the state, he informed that Nagaland, which has the second-highest adult HIV prevalence in India at 1.36%, has been a focal point for NACO’s efforts.
He pointed that Kohima was selected for the initial rollout of the SSS in 2021-22, and in the 2024-25 phase, Dimapur and Tuensang would begin implementation.
He maintained that Existing Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTC) and Designated STI/RTI Clinics (DSRC) would be rebranded as SSK under the new initiative, which would continue working in partnership with local NGOs to ensure that high-risk population remains HIV and STI-free throughout their lives.
He also said that the initiative aims to reduce HIV transmission over the long term, with SSK team working closely with medical professionals, led by the Medical Superintendent of the District Hospital Dimapur, to maximize the use of available resources.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by joint director (BSD/SSS nodal officer), NSACS, Dr M Nukshisangla Jamir, invocation by Chaplain, DHD, Rev Yhunlo Thong and short speech by medical superintendent, DHD, Dr. Keveduyi Theyo.