NBCC organizes ‘advocacy programme on HIV& AIDS’

In an effort to create wider awareness among the general populace on HIV and AIDS, Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) through its development department Nagaland Development Outreach (NDO) in partnership with the Legislatures’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) held an advocacy programme on May 2 at New Terogvunyu Village Baptist Church along with the Council of Rengma Baptist Churches (CRBC). 
Speaking on the basics of HIV and AIDS ART centre civil hospital, Dimapur Dr. Molusen Jamir said that HIV is no more considered only as a disease which needs medical attention but considered HIV chronic, manageable and a social disease considering it’s widespread.
He mentioned that stigma and discrimination attached to the one who is infected, issue of poverty and marginalized victims, lack of wider awareness and proper information are the three main reasons that stop the control HIV and AIDS.
Dr. Molusen encouraged the church leaders to break all these chains and take initiatives in extending help and assistance towards people who are infected and affected.
Meanwhile, NDO Vikheho Chisho shared on the care and support, stigma and discrimination from the church perspective biblical insights were shared with special focus on the principles of Jesus’ healing ministry.
He also encouraged the church leaders to equipped themselves to give proper pastoral counseling to those who are in distress, to be well informed on the knowledge of HIV and AIDS, medical and nursing care to be provided and refer to right agency, any material assistance whenever required to be provided and to continue to advocate the patients to be accepted in the society.
Later, IEC materials on HIV and AIDS supplied by NSACS office were distributed for the participants.
Altogether 82 participants from different church background along with resource person and NDO staff participated in the programme.
During the programme the Church community resolved to promote and spread awareness about HIV and AIDS and strive to eradicate stigma and discrimination and further extend support to PLHA.