The District Health Society Longleng in collaboration with District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) Longleng organised dissemination of the HIV/AIDS (P&C) Act 2017 at District Level with Church leaders, Phomla Hoichem, Youth Organizations, Students Union and Ward leaders on November 23, at CMO Conference Hall, Longleng.
A press release from CMO Longleng Dr. Tiasunep informed that the main objective of the workshop was to sensitize the community about the key provisions of HIV/AIDS (P&C) Act 2017, roles and responsibilities of ombudsman and complaint officers.
Resource person, chief judicial magistrate-cum-secretary DLSA Kumdilong Kessen, highlighted about the main objectives and scope of the Act that was to stop the stigma and discrimination revolving around HIV& AIDS.
He stated that the act provides equal rights and opportunities to the infected people and to safeguard the human rights, legal rights and constitutional rights for PLHIV, which ensures that the identity of person living with HIV shall be kept confidential and no person should be compelled to disclose their HIV status or to give out any details related to anyone.
It also ensures that at least one ombudsman would be appointed by every state government to inquire into complaints related to the violation of the Act and provisions of health care services.
The act also prohibits any discrimination or feeling of hatred against PLHIV in public places like hospitals, offices, educational institutions and while residing or renting property and employment.
He further spoke on how the Act prohibits any kind of violence and physical assault or activities to encourage violence towards people living with HIV and how medical institutions were at higher risk for exposure of HIV, since it is a blood borne infection.
Panel Lawyer DLSA Monyei, also briefed about the services provided by District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) Longleng. Earlier, the programme was chaired by DSRC counsellor, District Hospital Longleng M Lithei, invocation by associate youth pastor Ao Baptist Arogo Longleng Atu, CMO Dr. Tiasunep welcomed the gathering and closing remark by M Lithei.