Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 1
Minister for health & family welfare Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu today said the government is committed to fight against the menace of HIV/AIDS in the state on war footing. Speaking at the World AIDS Day here at the Red Ribbon Pavilion, Naga Heritage Complex, the minister said that Nagaland which ranked as the 6th highest prevalence rate in the country needs care, support and preventive measures.
He also stressed on the need intensify an awareness campaign across the state to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland. “The State government is committed to combat this disease, he said” He also sought cooperation from various NGOs, churches, youths, students to collectively fight against the menace of HIV/AIDS in the society. Azo also felt that the elected representatives must figure the danger of HIV/AIDS in their speeches so as to spread awareness among the community.
In his keynote address, Moulik D. Berkana, Deputy Director, American Centre said that the America leads the world in its level of support for HIV/AIDS relief. In 2003, President George W. Bush promised to lead the fight against global HIV/AIDS with President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease internationally in history. Through PEPFAR, the US government has already provided $18.8 billion in HIV/AIDS funding, and the US Congress has authorized upto $48 billion for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria over the next five years, Since 2004, the United States Government has allocated $166.4 million for PEPFAR’s programme in India. India will receive an additional $30 million next year, he said.
He said the US Consulate in Kolkata was glad to bring “Photos of Hope (Exhibition) to the people of Nagaland at the Red Ribbon Pavilion. He also thanked the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society and Naga Mother’s Association for co-sponsoring the event and working with them for the series of programmes that will be held in the pavilion over the next few days. “This is our way of “Celebrating Life”- by helping people understand the need to care for those who are HIV positive and by spreading awareness about the way the disease is transmitted, and the methods of protecting oneself against it,” he added. Let us pledge to “Celebrate Life” by helping people living with HIV/ AIDS overcome fear, uncertainty, stigma, discrimination and sickness, and instead, lead healthy, hopeful lives with the help of ART and the compassion and care of others, Berkana added.
He said that exhibit “Photos of Hope”- depicts how brave and courageous people “Celebrate Life” and prove that the seemingly impossible is possible. “All of them are HIV positive, yet they continue to “Celebrate Life” with the use of Anti Retroviral Therapy. We salute them, and the many other like them, who also “Celebrate Life” despite their HIV/AIDS status,” he said. Earlier, Toshinaro, NSACS Naga Idol 3.08 presented a special number.
Photo exhibition, film screening, puppet show and quiz will continue at the Red Ribbon Pavilion till December 3. It may be recalled that the event is being organized by US Consulate Kolkata, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society and Naga Mother’s Association.
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