World AIDS Day was observed on December 1 at various districts through respective health units, under the theme, “global solidarity, shared responsibility.”
Kohima: In Kohima, the programme was organised by department of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) at its directorate on Tuesday. Speaking as the special guest, principal secretary, H&FW and chairman, NSACS Amardeep Singh Bhatia said the state machineries on HIV/AIDS have a pressing need to work harder than before in order to bring down the disease’s prevalence rate in the state. Although there has been tremendous success over the past years, he said the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the state was second highest in the country and seven times the national average which was very worrisome even after having put various programmes into place two decades ago.
Adding that one of the main reasons for observing the day was to, “rededicate ourselves towards achieving the goals we have set to reduce the prevalence of the disease through a series of activities including awareness, prevention, testing and treatment and also de-stigmatise people affected by the disease.”
Bhatia disclosed that so far there were 317 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTC) in the state dedicated to testing and treatment of people with HIV/AIDS, apart from setting up of a number of blood bank facilities where strict protocols are maintained to ensure safe blood transfusion procedures.
He lauded the public participation in the form of NGOs, community and faith-based organisations for rendering their help and extending a robust partnership which have substantially helped in reaching out to the high-risk groups. Their intervention has resulted in reducing AIDS prevalence rate among Injection Drug Users (IDU), female sex workers and MSMs, Bhatia added.
Highlighting about the law prohibiting discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS, Bhatia said this was a huge step towards creating a better environment for those afflicted by the disease.
He further said he would be sitting down with all the stakeholders to discuss and chart out various strategies to bring down the prevalence rate.
Earlier, Bhatia also handed out a one time special financial assistance to 33 families of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) from all over the state affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also gave away financial assistance to 42 children from all over the state who were orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
The event was chaired by NSACS project director, Dr K Vikaro Kinimi, welcome address was delivered by Dr Bernice.
Sumi Baptist Church associate pastor Kito S Shohe pronounced a special prayer for PLHIV community while Kohima Network of Positive People president Yhuni and Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS, NSACS, assistant director Moasungla Jamir also spoke.
A special presentation was made by Benathung and Avilie and vote of thanks was delivered by IEC, NSACS joint director-Metevinuo Sakhrie.
The event was attended by various individuals and groups including Dr Joyce Z Angami, H&FW secretary Wezope, Dr Vinito, representatives from Naga Mother’s Association, Kohima Network of positive people and Nagaland Network of Positive People. (Correspondent)
DAPCU Zunheboto: District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU), chief medical officer (CMO) office, Zunheboto observed “world AIDS day” under the theme “global solidarity shared responsibility” on December 1 at conference hall, District Hospital Zunheboto. A press release by district media officer stated that, during the programme, guest speaker, CMO Zunheboto, Dr. K Akaho Sema thanked the organiser (DAPCU) and advocate, DLSA, Tovi shared about the legal aids to PLHIV, RRC and gathering. CMO congratulated the participants of the quiz competition organised by NSACS for RRC. He expressed concern about the alarming increase in which the state stood as one of the highest prevalence rate of 1.5 % HIV and AIDS and briefed about stigma and discrimination.
CMO also held that it was not only the responsibility of the health department but every section of people to fight against HIV and AIDS with collective effort.
A quiz competition was also held, where certificates were handed over to the winners and grant in aid to CLHIV beneficiaries was given. Earlier, district ICTC supervisor, Jubit K chaired the programme, welcome address by DPO, DAPCU, Hokishe Chophy, invocation by staff nurse DH, Zhetoli and benediction by community care coordinator, Visheli.
RRC, MCTE: Red Ribbon Club (RRC) of Mokokchung College of Teacher Education (MCTE) virtually celebrated “world AIDS day” on December 1. A press release by assistant professor, nodal officer, RRC MCTE, Imtimenla Jamir stated that the aim of the event was to harness the potential of the youth by educating their peers and others in the community on sex education and awareness in HIV and AIDS. Speaking as the resource person, president, ARK (Access to Rights and Knowledge) Foundation, Ketho Angami expressed concern on the alarming rise of HIV significantly among the youth which stood at 91% of all HIV transmission in the state.
He elaborated on “ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic: resilience and impact” and called upon the youth to play the main role in bringing about awareness in the community as well as to extend their support to the PLHIV. President, NMP, Temsu Jamir shared his journey on being HIV and AIDS positive and elaborated on why it was imperative that the community be made aware of the preventive measures to erase the stigma attached to it. College presented a small token to the Network of Mokokchung People Living with HIV and AIDS (NMP).
DAPCU Kohima: District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) Kohima in collaboration with Kohima Network of Positive people (KNP+) observed the day at District Tuberculosis Centre under the theme “global solidarity, shared responsibility” with ADC Kohima, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa as special guest.
A press release by DPO DAPCU, Kohima, Sentimongla Tzudir stated that during the programme, ADC congratulated the positive speaker for her courage and setting an example for other PLHIV to come forward and not to live in fear of stigma and discrimination.
She added that the PLHIVs were not alone in their fight against the disease and that the administration would gladly help wherever possible. Further, Rutsa encouraged all children living with HIV (CLHIV) beneficiaries to do well academically. Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) provided a one-time educational assistance to three CLHIV in the district who were felicitated in the programme. Earlier, significance of the day was shared by KNP+ president, Yhuni and closing remarks by Sentimongla Tzudir.
DHS Longleng: District Health Society (DHS) Longleng commemorated the day at conference hall, CMO office, initiated by District AIDS Control Society (DACS) Longleng.
A press release by district media officer stated that the chief medical officer, Dr Obangjungla spoke on the significance of the day and this year’s theme, “global solidarity, shared responsibility”. Speaking on the theme, MO (OST) District Hospital, Dr. Khyothungo Yanthan said that UNAIDS leads the world to achieve the shared vision of zero HIV infection, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths.
He also said that the educated must empower communities and inculcate in people about discrimination and stigmatisation. Meanwhile, NSACS provided a onetime financial assistance to few CLHIV for educational assistances and for one academic year and onetime financial assistance to PLHIV families especially those women whose livelihood/health had been affected by this pandemic. Programme was attended by all staff from CMO and MS, ward youth presidents, Yingli Mission Society (TI) NGO, OST and Mental Health Program District Hospital.
DAPCU Phek: District Aids Programme Control Unit (DAPCU), Phek along with DLN, ELF, AHANA and VIHAAN Phek observed the day at town council hall, Phek sponsored by NSACS.
A press release by district media officer, NHM Phek, stated that guest speaker EAC Phek, Wethso Lasushe said that as responsible individuals, citizens, leaders and the people can achieve the goal to end the HIV and AIDS epidemic by 2030. During the programme, CMO, Dr. Vibeituonuo Mepfuo presented grant in aid to three children living with HIV for educational support of one academic year with cash, sponsored by NSACS. NSACS online quiz competition result of various categories of winners was also declared by DPO, DAPCU.
Meanwhile, president PNP + FO AHANA, Mese Letro gave a positive voice where he requested participants not to stigmatise the people living with HIV but to contribute morally and physically. Earlier, the programme was chaired by Thuputo Venuh PM ELF, invocation by pastor, Angami Baptist Church, Phek Town, Thepfuneizo Yhor, vote of thanks by Vezotalu Shijoh, brief presentation of HIV scenario of Phek district by DIS DAPCU, Hierhotho Kajiri and special number by RPC member, Akhruto Dozo.