KOHIMA, december 1 (MExN): Former Nagaland State Chief Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir today stated that “AIDS is a product of social change. It is a colonial disease. So you do not need to feel guilty.” He was speaking at the World AIDS Day commemoration on December 1 in Kohima, jointly organised by NNP+, KNP+, Kripa Foundation, N-NagaDAO, NUN, KUN, FPAI and Guardian Angel.
1 out of every 100 persons in Nagaland is suffering from HIV& AIDS, pointed out Ketho Angami from Nagaland Users’ Network (NUN). Since 1999 till 2016, the total number of people tested were 8, 99,158 where 20,601 were tested positive out of which only 5778 are on ARVs. Therefore Ketho questioned where the remaining of the HIV positive people without treatment are.
Jamir, meanwhile, viewed that AIDS had been a hot subject a few years ago but lamented that complacency has crept. “The danger of AIDS, which we should all realize is that it is a product of social growth. This is a byproduct of social behavior of mankind. It is man’s own creation and not the scourge of God,” said Jamir.
Moasungla from KNP+ also shared her testimony of living with HIV& AIDS during the program. “By going public I’m able to encourage the others. If we remain numb and do nothing about it, there is no point for us to believe in a better future,” she stated.
Lanu from the Network of Naga People Living with HIV & AIDS (NNP+) meanwhile pointed out that PLHIVs are faced with frequent breakdown of CD4 machines and shortages/stock out of ARV drugs, while some are even denied treatment by the health service providers causing mental trauma. All these lapses become obstacles to accessing quality treatment and further hinder the treatment process.
Critiquing the State agencies such as NSACS, Abou Mere, N-Naga Dao stated that NSACS is only serving its donors and Delhi by following its guidelines instead of understanding the needs and necessity of its people.
“Without consulting the PLHIV and users, state agencies have often gone ahead with their action plan,” said Mere, who highlighted the need for infrastructure for treatment and the need to start collaborative efforts and greater involvement of PLHIVs in all programs and policies.
.JPG)
