Awareness programmes mark World AIDS Day in Nagaland

Dimapur, December 2 (MExN): Awareness talks, walkathons and several other activities were conducted across Nagaland to mark World AIDS Day on December 1.

Mokokchung: According to a press release received here on Friday, students from School of Nursing, doctors and District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit Staff (DAPCU) took part in a walkathon covering the stretch from IMDH to the Office of the Chief Medical Officer Mokokchung. The walkathon became a mouthpiece to promote that people with AIDS have to be treated as equals, and their rights need to be recognised within the society, it said.

This was followed by a programme at the CMO office conference hall where the CMO Dr Limatula Aier spoke on the significance of observing World AIDS Day. She said that the day can be utilised to support those who are living with HIV and for spreading the message of equality, especially for patients living with HIV and confront the prejudices suffered by them.

She further stated that HIV is an epidemic forgotten in the last few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and said that the fight against it is still on.

At the programme which was jointly organised by DAPCU, NMP+, TI NGOs and UN Mokokchung, a person living with HIV also shared a testimony. He stated that since he began taking his medications, he has been living a healthy life and the treatment has enabled him to cope with all the daily activities like any other person does. He urged the people to come forward for timely testing of HIV and medication so that people who are tested positive can live a stable life like him, the release stated.

The theme speaker Longdiba Sangtam, SDO(Civil) Mokokchung, dwelt on this year’s theme ‘Equalise’  and stated that the UN aims to eliminate HIV and AIDS by the year 2030. While it is doubtful that such an objective it can be achieved at the said timeline, he maintained that if people come together to minimise transmission of HIV and AIDS, its rate of transmission can be put at a halt.

Sangtam also noted that stigma and discrimination in relation to HIV and AIDS is very much prevalent in the society and it is only when people do away with it, that others would come forward to get tested. This can go a long way in containment and elimination of the epidemic; and with the advancement of medical science, though without a cure, a person who is tested positive can live a healthy life like everyone else with the medications that are available, he said.

Peren: At the programme which was organised by DAPCU, Peren in Collaboration with District Level Network Peren, Red Ribbon Clubs (RRC) of Peren Government College and Government Higher Secondary School, Peren, Er Seyievilie Pfükri, EAC was the special guest, as per a press release.

On the occasion Er Seyievilie launched ‘free baseline investigation for initiation of ART’ which was procured under RBF, District Health Authority, CMO Peren. Er Seyievilie encouraged the gathering to take an active role in fighting against the pandemic and said that every individual can contribute and has a role in the fight against the pandemic. 
Pauzedibe, FIARTC, Counselor shared on significance of the day, Lhaiboi, PE CCA Ahthibung share her testimony and special number by GHSS students.The programme was chaired by Namdahing, DRP LWS, Peren, while Puiranglungle, Sunday school Superintendent, PTBC, invoked God’s blessings. 

Phek: Meanwhile, at the Dr Wethselo T Mero Memorial Hall, District Hospital Phek, Deputy Commissioner Kumar Ramnikant spoke on the importance of giving equal treatment to all the HIV positive people by way of contributing moral support and encouragement.

He also spoke on the importance of sensitising the community on HIV and AIDS so that they can have a positive attitude and approach towards the HIV positive people, and stigma discrimination in the society can be done away, according to a press release.

He urged the participants to put away any kind of stigma in the community and suggested that awareness programmes, seminars and sensitisation programmes can be planned so that all to the HIV positive can come forward and receive ART. Towards this end, he assured that the administration can lend their support.

During the programme, Mese Letro, President, District Level Network shared that after he was diagnosed with HIV in the year 2002 and the declaration of his status, he faced stigma and discrimination in the community during the initial stage.

He was however able to overcome all these hardships, he said while requesting the participants not to stigmatise but support in whatever possible way.

Dr Rovingunuo Vakha, MO FI-ART DH Phek spoke on the significance of the day and shared a brief history on HIV and AIDS while emphasising  that quality life should be given to all the HIV positive by not stigmatising them. Dr Khriezotuo Paphino CMO, Phek in his short speech encouraged the participants to be ambassadors and agents of change in the district by creating awareness on HIV and AIDS. 

IEC materials on HIV and AIDS were also distributed during the programme.

Tobu: Similarly, DAPCU Mon in collaboration with Joint Action Committee against Opium Addiction (JACAOA) and TI Partners held a programme at Youth Hall, Tobu Town with support from NSACS.

DAPCU District Programme Officer Longyim Tzudir, in his brief note on the significance of the Day, mentioned that since 1988, World AIDS Day is observed globally not just remembering those who lost their lives to HIV but to increase awareness and serve as an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV. He said that this year’s theme ‘Equalise’ is a call to action to address inequalities and help to end AIDS.

The guest speaker, Tobu ADC Chubatemjen acknowledged the dedication and valuable service of those who are working in the field of HIV prevention and control programme.

He also briefly emphasised on accessibility, acceptance and actions while highlighting the need for evaluation of achievements and plans for future actions. Other resource persons included Dr Pangjong, MO, CHC Tobu who spoke on the topic HIV testing and treatment while basic information on harm reduction was shared by Stephen, PM, TI Shansham Mon, a press release informed.

Short speeches were also delivered by M Wammai K, Vice-President, KU Branch, Tobu and W Moba Konyak, Convenor, JACAOA

Tuli: According to a press release, the Rajeshwari Karuna School, Tuli observed the day with a marathon race followed by a short programme at Longkumer Complex, Tuli (17th mile) with the theme ‘Achieving Equity To End HIV.’ 

The marathon race commenced from Aohadang Public Ground, Borbora Ward to Longkumer Complex, Tulikong Ward. Altogether 31 students participated in the marathon. Cash prizes, medals, and certificates were awarded to the winners and to the participants, the release stated.

Speaking on the occasion, Hazarat Adam, one of the teachers at RKS highlighted that the present scenario of Nagaland is alarming. Nagaland had the first case of HIV in 1990 and it took only 32 years to reach the 2nd position with the highest HIV cases in India.

Now is time to realise that the health department alone is not enough to control this deadly virus, Adam underscored while encouraging the students to join the fight of spreading awareness against AIDs among the people of Tuli. He emphasised that it is important to observe World Aids Day as it reminds the public and the government that there is still a vital need to increase awareness, fight prejudice, and improve education.

“Let our lifestyles be an example for others to admire and replicate,” he said while concluding with a quote: “We must open our eyes before AIDS closes them.”

Wokha: In Wokha too, the DAPCU organised a programme at Mhomo Hall, Witter Theological College, Vankhosung with Medical Officer, School Health Programme Dr Thungchanbeni Patton calling upon the participants to unite and eliminate the disparities, stigma and inequalities that create barriers in eliminating AIDS. 

Fear of stigma and discrimination are the main factors which prevent an HIV infected person from seeking Antiretroviral Therapy, she said while underlining that people living with HIV infection should have the same basic rights and responsibilities as those which apply to all citizens of the country. 

The programme which was attended by students and teaching staffs of the college concluded with benediction by Dr T Nzanthung Ngullie, Principal, WTC. The programme was organised in collaboration with WNP and Red Ribbon Club of WTC, according to a press release.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/awareness-programmes-mark-world-aids-day-in-nagaland