Mokokchung, July 2 (MExN): Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) – Nagaland in partnership with Care and Support Society – Mokokchung conducted an Advocacy programme on HIV/AIDS at Clark Theological College (CTC), Aolijen - Mokokchung on June 28.
The resource persons for the programme are Dr. Vinito L. Chishi, State Consultant and Hukatoli from Legislators’ Forum on AIDS. Imchawati Kichu, Managing Director, Care and Support Society also gave a highlight on the present trend of HIV/AIDS in Mokokchung district.
Dr. Chishi in his lecture shared serious concern over the alarming HIV prevalence rate of the state here in Nagaland. He called upon the theological students of Clark Theological College who will be the leaders of tomorrow in churches and various missions to equip themselves with updated trends of HIV/AIDS and to be ready to create awareness among their own community for equal participation and develope a good sense of ownership by taking collective responsibility.
He called for the involvement of church leaders in addressing the issue through pre-marital counselling and creating public awareness. He said that church is a permanent community fixture where they can give education and counselling in church settings, give care and support, maintain healthy behaviour and mobilise a force of volunteers from within the church to initiate good and healthy networking with NGOs, Community leaders, women, youth and government establishments.
In another session, Hukatoli from LFA talked on the vulnerability of a person where he/she may acquire HIV infection. She warned the theological students that HIV infection can occur to anyone including theological students and every person must play an important role in HIV prevention by building the bridge and filling up the gaps, educating and delivering correct and complete information and make community understand that HIV/AIDS is not only a health problem but also a social, economic and development issue.
A press note stated that earlier in the programme, Rev. Dr. Marnungsang, Principal – CTC gave a short speech on the importance of the programme. He reminded the students that apart from their syllabus which includes HIV/AIDS, he said that the knowledge about HIV/AIDS from certain professionals is useful for them to prepare themselves for combating HIV/AIDS in the state.
