Workshop on ‘Prevalence of HIV & AIDS amongst children and preventive strategies’ in Nagaland

Our Correspondent

Kohima | October 9

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in collaboration with Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR) today conducted a one day state level consultation and awareness workshop on “Prevalence of HIV & AIDS amongst children and preventive strategies” in Nagaland at Hotel Japfii, Kohima.

The programme was facilitated by Lachit Yuba Bikash Kendra.

NSCPCR chairman Alun Hangsing thanked NCPCR for organizing this workshop for the state of Nagaland.

Stating that NSCPCR was set up in Nagaland in October 2013, he said the state commission has also been trying its best to create awareness on protection of child rights in the state.

The state government is also committed to strengthening the state commission, he said.

He also urged upon the stakeholders and the concerned agencies associated with child welfare to disseminate proper information all at levels.

United Nations has fully recognised the rights of children and felt the need to create conducive atmosphere for children’s upliftment, he said.

NSCPCR secretary Yongchingkumla said that the global concern for HIV & AIDS remains a major public health issue as transmission of this disease is ongoing in all the countries.

“In India, children below 15 years, 7% of HIV infected and highly exposed to abuse, exploitation and neglected because of loss of parents or guardian. They experience great deal of social stigma and discrimination resulting to loss of essential services of education and health,” she said.

In Nagaland, Yongchingkumla said that extensive awareness, sensitization and programmes for control of HIV & AIDS is provided by the Nagaland State AIDs Control Society under the department of health and family welfare as well as by various organization.

She said that today’s workshop has been sponsored by NCPCR in collaboration with NSCPCR to give an access to treatment, linkage with services, access to safe homes, education and opportunity for overall development.

She said that the NCPCR was set up in 2007 under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights ACT 2005 and under section 17 of CPCR ACT 2005.

The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has been constituted in each states /UT. In Nagaland, the commission was setup in 2013.

One of the major functions of the Commission is to examine, all factors that inhibits the enjoyment of rights of children affected includes HIV & AIDS infected children.

“The objective of today’s workshop is “to create a common platform for all stakeholders and strengthen collaboration between various government departments to ensure that children and adolescence infected and affected with HIV are provided all essential services,” Yongchingkumla said.

Dr M Nukshisangla Jamir, Joint Director, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) talked on “ Preventive strategies for HIV & AIDS amongst children” while Dr. Rokovizo, Deputy Director NSACS talked  on “Situation Analysis on Prevalence of HIV & AIDS amongst children in the state of Nagaland.”

Dr P Thungbeni Ezung and Dr. Ainato Yeptho, both Deputy Director, NSACS talked on “ Substance Abuse and HIV & AIDS amongst children” and “ Rights & entitlements of children and relevant provisions under law” respectively.

HIV remains a major global public health issue

HIV remains a major global public health issue, having claimed an estimated 42.3 million lives to date, according to the concept note of the workshop. 

Transmission is ongoing in all countries globally. An estimated 39.9 million (36.1–44.6 million) people were living with HIV at the end of 2023, of which 1.4 million (1.1–1.7 million) children (0–14 years old) and 38.6 (34.9–43.1 million] adults (15+ years old).

Globally, between 2000 and 2022, numbers of new HIV infections among children (aged 0–14 years) fell by 75%.

Progress has stagnated, however, with only very limited gains in the past five years.

Globally, 42% of vertical HIV transmission occurred during breastfeeding in 2022.

More progress is needed to retain women on treatment for their own and their children’s health, the concept not stated.

As per World Bank, the Government of India estimates that about 2.40 million Indians are living with HIV (1.93 ‐3.04 million) with an adult prevalence of 0.31% (2009). Children (<15 yrs) account for 3.5% of all infections, while 83% are the in age group 15-49 years. Of all HIV infections, 39% (930,000) are among women.

India’s highly heterogeneous epidemic is largely concentrated in only a few states-in the industrialized south and west, and in the north‐east. The four high prevalence states of South India (Andhra Pradesh-500,000, Maharashtra-420,000, Karnataka-250,000, Tamil Nadu-150,000) account for 55% of all HIV infections in the country.

West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are estimated to have more than 100,000 PLHA each and together account for another 22% of HIV infections in India.

Globally, HIV & AIDS pandemic has orphaned millions of children. Over the past 30 years, an estimated 9.7 million children have lost one or both parents due to AIDS, the concept note stated adding “In spite of tremendous progress made in the last decade, around 1,50,00 children under 15 years were newly infected with HIV in 2015.

National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) defines Children Affected by AIDS (CABA) as any child (0-17 years) living with HIV, or who has a family member living with HIV, who has lost one or both parents, siblings or other family members to AIDS, or is vulnerable because of circumstances that increase their risk of HIV infection (children on the streets, orphans, children of sex workers, child laborers, child sex workers and trafficked children).

CABA are vulnerable and its need urgently to be responded. Access to treatment, linkages with services, access to safe shelters, education & opportunity for overall development, limited provisions of social & economic protection, stigma and discrimination are major challenges which need to be addressed, the concept note stated.

Keeping this in view, there is need to provide safe and healthy environment through provide equal opportunity and protecting rights as per guidance of Convention of Child Rights (CRC).

Expected outcome of consultation

• Joint working group will be formed to cater children and adolescents infected and affected with HIV at state level, the concept note stated.
• Road map will be formed in involving all the stakeholders in planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting on social protection and welfare services by children affected by HIV & AIDS
• Increased uptake of social protection and welfare services by children affected by HIV & AIDS and their families or caretakers.
• Develop state level action plan and designate office for follow up (both SCPCR and SACS)
• It will address issues related to the 16-18 years and post 18 age groups. Linkages and referral for better education and livelihood will be ensured.
• Expectations, modification in existing schemes and need to priorities children and adolescents infected and affected with HIV from the line department must be covered in way forward.