Dimapur, June 20 (MExN): The Dimapur Network for people living with HIV/AIDS (DNP+) TI, IDU, Niuland on June 19 organised an advocacy cum community sensitization held at Hovukhu Village under Niuland Area. It was attended by the GBs, Village council, Church leaders, teachers and also general public. There were nearly 40 participants in the programme.
Lipok Aier, the program Manager of DNP+,TI,IDU – Niuland briefed about the Scenario of HIV/AIDS and drug user in Niuland sub-division. He stressed that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and (IDUs) drug users in the area cannot be denied and need a strong intervention. The community awareness and the active participation are very much urgent. To aware the high risk population and to prevent infection and further transmission of HIV/AIDS is indeed a collective problem but In the context of HIV/AIDS spreading very rapidly even in the rural area the general public is not an exception. As such, even the general population should be prepared to face and fight the dreadful epidemic. He further stated that the drugs and HIV/AIDS victims should not be neglected and discriminated rather we should be compassionate and try to help them come out of their difficulties. Finally, he challenged all the community to extend their effort for the task ahead.
The programme was presided by Heneli, Outreach worker (ORW) of DNP+,TI,IDU-Niuland. The programme started with the Invocation prayer by Ghowoto, the pastor of Hovukhu Baptist church. Dovishe, the ORW of DNP+, TI, IDU – Niuland shared his life testimony of how he was addicted to drugs in his early days. He further narrated his long struggle with the killer drug since he was involved in injecting the stuff and involved in various unwanted activities creating lot of havoc in the family and in his community. He said that after many years of struggling with his addiction finally through the help of various NGOs particularly CAD foundation he could come out of his addiction and since then he had been actively working for the drug addict so that he could at least help someone like him.
Further Khetoli the counselor of DNP+,TI, IDU – Niuland narrated to the audience of what the project was all about, the different activities and programme, the services of the client, the need of community involvement in the implementation of the program.
Toshi, the general secretary of DNP+ also shared of his past life struggle with drugs and he also shared about the detox, rehabilation, the demand and supply reduction in the context of drugs users.
In response, Shri.Vikato, the head GB of Hovukhu village thanked DNP+,TI,IDU – Niuland staff for organizing such programme in the village and he further said that they are always ready to help and co-operate with the organization in any possible way they can and also encourage to work hard for the welfare of the people.
Again, Sukhato, the youth leader of Hovukhu Baptist church said that it was indeed the first time that such kind of programme was being witness in the village and he considered the programme which is being undertaking seems to be doing half of his youth ministry and he was happy for that.
The programme ended with the benediction prayer by Hokivi, peer educator of DNP+, TI, IDU – Niuland. After the programme Voluntary HIV testing was invited to the audience and altogether twenty two (22) persons came forward for testing.
The DNP+ is recently implementing a project of target intervention among the Injecting drug user for prevention of HIV/AIDS which is being supported by NSACS in Niuland sub-division and is officially called as DNP+, TI, IDU, Niuland.
