Kiphire, March 23 (MExN): The International Border People’s Welfare Organization (IBAPWO) organized a one day advocacy program on HIV/AIDS under the theme ‘Together We Can’ on March 7 at Town Hall, Seyochung Town. More than 230 people comprising of GBs, DBs, church leaders, women leaders, youths, students, health authorities, etc attended the programme which was sponsored by Legislators Forum on AIDS (LFA)- UNAIDS, Nagaland, stated a press release issued by IBAPWO Kiphire Director, N. Rhuletsü Whoürr.
District Aids Prevention Control Unit (DAPCU), DPO, Tsiatsuvi who gave the district scenario of HIV said that since the inception of HIV/AIDS program in the district a total of 209 persons have been detected HIV +ve and registered at the PLHIV DLN (KpNp+), however only 42 persons including two children are accessing Anti Retroviral Therapy from ARTC Kiphire till December 2011. Out of the total registered, 32 clients have died. She said that it is time that we take proper measures to fight the spread of HIV as the prevalence rate of Kiphire district is on the rise and as leaders and responsible people we need to keep our society and people safe as HIV has taken an epidemic form and is spreading like a wildfire. One of the reasons why people are reluctant to come forward to access treatment is fear of being stigmatized by the society and hence one urgent need is doing away with stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV.
Dr. Kevi, MO In-charge of ARTC Kiphire, said that the spread of HIV through sexual route is very high and therefore encouraged condom use and highlighted that condoms are also a method of family planning and will be effective for remote places like Seyochung where facilities are rare. He spoke on the need of acceptance of People Living with HIV as they need the love, care and support of their family and friends and neglecting them will only make their situation worse.
Nchumbemo Odyuo, SDO (C), Seyochung speaking as the chief guest, exhorted the gathering to do away with the ignorant mindset and resolve to do away with the virus. He lamented that in spite of the Government spending so much money for health facilities; people access help only when they are sick or very serious and so stressed on the need for inculcating health seeking behavior amongst the general public. He stressed that stigmatizing and discriminating people because of their status is not going to help in preventing the virus rather it will increase and said that all the Village leaders of Seyochung Block must make definite resolutions to collectively fight the virus. He also exhorted the NGO workers to be alert as the virus is very active and has crossed epidemic proportions and reached every nook and corner.
Later, during the group discussion, the participants had a group discussion where they resolved to fight the epidemic collectively and contribute towards the cause and also to adopt concrete resolutions to ensure public initiative and participation in preventing further spread of this menace. They also resolved to help in facilitating access to treatment for PLHIVs if someone is tested positive and to link them with service centers in the District.
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