Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare (H&FW), S Pangnyu Phom, Monday said that the state required the technical and financial support of National Aids Control Organization (NACO) to implement the HIV and AIDS, Bill 2017 in its true sense and spirit.
Speaking at the 1st North East Multi Media Campaign as chief patron, the minister expressed gratitude to NACO for organizing the 1st North East Multi Media Campaign in Nagaland and said the event was significant to reach out to the youth and general population with the message of HIV prevention, care and treatment.
The event hosted by Nagaland state AIDS control society (NSACS) with the participation of representatives from eight north east states was held on the theme “North East United against HIV/AIDS” at Local Ground here on Monday.
Stating that a lot of good work has been done and have seen progress in the decline of HIV and AIDS epidemic, the minister urged the NACO to consider the challenges of States, and work out strategy and allocate resources as per the need of each State to address the epidemic effectively.
To achieve the 90-90-90 by 2020 and to eradicate the HIV and AIDS epidemic by 2030, he said a lot of innovative strategy and policy had been launched at the National level like ‘Test and Treat Policy’ and the passing of the HIV and AIDS Bill 2017.
He also stated that the state need the support of NACO for timely supply of drugs, easy access to treatment and technical advice to the state to facilitate uninterrupted drug supply in the treatment centre.
In Nagaland, the minister said the NSACS in partnership with NGOs, faith-based organizations, private partners, law enforcement agencies and other development partners were taking active role to achieve national goal.
He said that mass awareness and sensitization across service providers, community members, public and private sector, NGOs, and the general public was critical for its right implementation. Further, Pangnyu disclosed that the Nagaland legislators concerned with HIV and AIDS epidemic have been contributing a sum of Rs. 1 lakh each to the Legislators’ Forum on AIDS for the last ten years and has committed to support till March 2019.
The minister stated that Multi Media Campaign was significant to the North East and was one of the medium to reach out to the youth and general population with the message of HIV prevention, care, and treatment.
In his address as one of the special guests, NACO deputy director general Dr. Naresh Goel said it was a proud moment for the NACO collaborating with the first Northeast multi media campaign. He said the message to fight against HIV&AIDS should spread all over the country and practice safe and responsible behaviour today and in future. He encouraged spreading the awareness message of prevention and removal of the stigma and discrimination against the affected people. He expressed gratitude to concern department and civil societies for working hard and awareness campaign to make India free from HIV&AIDS by 2030.
On the occasion, the minister also called upon the young people in the state to remain safe, avail HIV test and go for treatment if found HIV positive.
In his opening remark, principal secretary H&FW and NSACS chairman, I Himato Zhimomi, said that combating HIV & AIDS needed a matra of practice safe and responsible behaviour. He also expressed concern over stigma and discrimination against the persons living with HIV.
President network of Naga people living with HIV, Lanu Aier, in his address, said though Nagaland was the third highest HIV prevalence in the country yet unable to break down stereotypes, stigma and discrimination, which he said was the greatest barrier in accessing people to treatment. He said the youth should play a pivotal role in combating HIV&AIDS by equipping themselves with information on HIV&AIDS. He also urged the youth to be ambassadors to reach out to unreached section of people, peers, friends and family members.
Aier urged NACO to ensure smooth flow of supply chain and stock management of ART, taking note on previous issue on stock out and frequent breakdown of CD4 machine where PLHIV community have faced immense hardship leading to mental trauma.
IGAR (N) Major General Pradeep Nair also addressed the gathering.
The inaugural programme was compèred by Theyiesinuo Keditsu, parade by Assam Rifles, NCC, Bharat Scout And Guides, AIDS control societies from eight north east states and 16 tribes of Nagaland, anthem of 1st NE Multimedia Campaign was presented by Alobo Naga, invocation prayer was given by Nagaland state chaplain Rev. Kuzierang Thou, welcome address was delivered by principal director H&FW Dr. Vikeyie Losu, special songs were presented by Tetseo Sisters and Nise Meruno, while vote of thanks was proposed by NSACS project director Dr. Ngangshimeren.
Programme was attended by thousands of students from 60 schools and 20 colleges from in and around Kohima, representatives from eight Northeast states and others.