A section of the gathering during the Dimapur district quarterly co-ordination meeting held at Dimapur DC’s office on October 16.
Dimapur, October 16 (MExN): The Dimapur district quarterly co-ordination meeting of TB Forum cum Task Force Committee Meeting of District Aids Prevention & Control Cell (DAPCC), Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Tuberculosis (HIV-TB), and Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV & AIDS and Syphilis (EVTHS) was held at Dimapur DC’s office on October 16.
The meeting was attended by staffs under CMO Dimapur, DTO Dimapur, AHANA Project and DAPCU Dimapur, NGOs, and TB Champions, the IEC Section, CMO office Dimapur stated in a press release. Dr Benchilo Ngullie, District TB Officer, NTEP highlighted the objectives of TB Forum in the district. She stated that for effective service delivery, it was important to engaged policymakers and implementers to ensure justice, rights, and dignity of TB patients.
It is imperative to enforce laws and policy that are friendly to TB patients to help remove stigma and discrimination and also ensure their social security, Dr Benchilo stated. The forum also aims to improve awareness on various government schemes, provisions, and facilities available for TB patients and to improve treatment literacy and adherence among TB patients.
Visevinuo Khrieo, State Project Officer, AHANA Project presented a brief introduction on the project. She stated that AHANA Project was initiated in 2018 in partnership with Nagaland State Aids Control Society and National Health Mission. AHANA works with HIV positive pregnant women and also supports the existing health system.
She sensitized the members on EVTHS newer prongs and also highlighted the new features of EVTHS and updates on EVTHS related activities. She stated that HIV & syphilis screenings were carried out during ANC checkups in all government health units starting from sub-center level to district hospitals. All HIV reactive cases are referred to the nearest Stand Alone-Integrated Counseling and Testing Center for confirmation.
Khrieo further informed that Dimapur has the highest load of ANC HIV positivity in 2022-23 while Wokha has reported the highest ANC Syphilis cases. She also shared the challenges faced while carrying out activities and also informed the way forward developed to enhance the project activities.
The meeting was chaired by Mhalo Humtsoe, ADC Dimapur and the welcome address was delivered by Dr Limatula Aier, Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur.
