Chizokho Vero
Kohima | February 8
Expressing concern at the high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland, Chief Minister TR Zeliang today mooted setting a onetime grant for churches to continue carrying out awareness campaigns across Nagaland state.
The CM suggested that a fixed deposit of Rs. 5 to 10 crore can be worked out in favour of Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) Nagaland, where interest from the sum can be used for awareness campaigns. In this, he called upon the churches to formulate policy, assuring that the government will provide assistance. Apart from churches, he also encouraged that the campaigns reach out to temples and mosques.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of LFA here, Zeliang also stressed on the need to increase the legislators’ contribution on HIV/AIDS. Presently, 60 members of the House contribute Rs. 1 lakh each under LADF for advocacy programmes in their respective constituency. Zeliang, who is also chief patron of the LFA also sought the support from bureaucrats to contribute.
He further requested doctors from the medical department to play a vital role to defeat HIV/AIDS, and sought active participation of every individual in achieving Zero Target by 2020.
He also stressed on the need to encourage people living with HIV who come out openly in declaring themselves as HIV positive.
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Chotisuh Sazo requested the churches to continue their awareness and sensitization programmes in the villages and hoped for continuous support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
LFA consultant Dr. Vinito Chishi stressed on the need to reduce stigma and discrimination, adding that proper counselling is the need of the hour.
Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) general secretary Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho meanwhile assured that the churches will work hard and hoped to see results in few years time. He also stressed on the need to teach compassion and exhibit grace and love while dealing with HIV/AIDS.
Rev. Dr. Shiwoto, President NCRC Nagaland suggested that the issue of HIV/AIDS be included as curriculum in all theological colleges of the state.
Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar said that a meeting at the bureaucrat level will be convened to take stock of the situation and work out strategy for 2016, adding that everything will be examined for control of HIV/AIDS in the current year.
Minister for School Education and SCERT Yitachu opined that one time fixed deposits be done with bank institutions under corporate social responsibility to enable the churches to sustain their awareness activities.
Advisor, Treasuries and Accounts Dr. T.M. Lotha felt that awareness campaigns should be a continuous effort and also free drugs should be made available in all the hospitals. Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism C. Apok Jamir also felt the need to apply correct method and strategy to bring HIV to zero level.
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning & Coordinator, Evaluation, Monitoring Cell and Taxes, Neiba Kronu; Parliamentary Secretary for Jails, Science & Technology S Hukavi Zhimomi; Parliamentary Secretary for Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu and several others also joined the interaction session.
Later, the meeting resolved that the LFA and churches will continue to work together and intensify its fight to tackle HIV/AIDS. The other resolution included: churches to continue to carry out awareness campaign on mission mode, all churches to set up core group, to remove stigma and discrimination etc.
0.78 adult HIV prevalence rate in Nagaland
Nagaland state has an adult HIV prevalence rate at 0.78% at present as per the NACO technical report. The general population prevalence rate (HSS) is at 0.88 %.
Out of 69,450 people tested during April 2015 to December 2015, 1,156 were found positive. Out of 6, 81, 313 tested during April 2006 to March 2015, 14, 277 were found positive. AIDS related deaths in Nagaland stood at 287 during 2015.
The Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) project director, Dr. M Kire informed this during the annual general meeting of Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) Nagaland here today.
The route of HIV transmission as per SIMS (April to December 2015) shows 89% through sexual route, 6% parent to child, 3% through blood to blood and 2% through syringe & needles.
Age wise distribution of HIV Positive in Nagaland shows 45.35% (25-34 years), 28.48% (35-49 years), 14.77 % (15-24 years), 5.47% (50 years), 5.94% (14 years) and below 14 years at 6%.
He also highlighted the various facilities provided by NSACS. Dr. Kire requested the gathering for support and concerted effort in fight against HIV/AIDS in the state. He also sought for release of fund in time, while acknowledging that Nagaland is the first state in the NE to form an LFA, and the first NE state to form a State Council on AIDS.
