Mon, July 22 (MExN): Church Advocacy on HIV and AIDS was held at MTABC, Mon. Longyim Tzudir, District Programme Officer, DAPCU Mon, who facilitated the programme said in a press release that Church Advocacy on HIV and AIDS for the church leaders of Mon Town (Sister churches) was organized by DAPCU in collaboration with Mon Town Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (MTBPF) at Mon Town Ao Baptist Church on July 19 with support from Legislators’ Forum on AIDS –Nagaland (LFA).
The programme begun with pronouncing invocation by Rev. Lipoktemjen, Pastor, MTABC, followed by presentation of Basics on HIV and AIDS by Dr. Yingnei K, Medical Officer I/c LAC+ DH Mon. He concluded that no one is immune to HIV and AIDS and everyone is at risk and therefore urged them to take the responsibility to stop the spread of HIV.
Why Church Involvement
Dr. Vinito L. Chishi, State Consultant, LFA-Nagaland briefly shared the functioning of Legislators’ Forum on AIDS in Nagaland, and thanked the legislators for their commitment and support towards HIV and AIDS programme in the state. While presenting the topic on ‘Why Church Involvement’, he had emphasised on developing a Church-based strategy: six ways our CHURCH can minister to those with HIV and AIDS - Care for and comfort the sick, Handle testing and counselling, unleash a force of volunteers, Remove stigma, Champion healthy behaviour and Help with nutrition and medications. He further stated that the epidemic has reach our home and village, and that local church need to take certain measures towards controlling the epidemic and to extend support to people living with HIV. He said that when we have support and encouragement of the church leadership, the resources within the church can easily be mobilized and therefore called upon the churches to be well informed on the issues of HIV and continue to work with vision and commitment.
Church should not keep silent on HIV and AIDS issues
The guest speaker W. Honje K, Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson of DAPCC Mon, in his short address mentioned that Church being one of the most influential institutions, should not keep silent on HIV and AIDS issues, but need to broaden their horizon by adopting certain doable strategy on HIV prevention and care. He also shared his view that training should be given to the church leaders so that they will be well equipped to incorporate topics on HIV and AIDS even in their sermon. He concluded his speech by expressing his optimism that church can act as an agent to address the challenge of HIV and AIDS by promoting responsible behaviour that respects the dignity of all persons and defends the sanctity of life, take care of the infected and affected with HIV and AIDS, and to create an enabling environment to eliminate stigma, shame and discrimination with love and commitment.
Hukatoli Chopy, LFA-Nagaland shared on the Social responsibility, where she specifically highlighted the present HIV and AIDS scenario of Nagaland and called upon the church leaders to understand the reality of HIV and extend support to control the spread of HIV and AIDS and make a caring community. Yongrichem, President MTBPF pronounced vote of thanks while Manai K, Youth Director of KBCM concluded the programme with benediction.
