Morung Express News
Kohima | July 28
The Network of Kohima District People Living with HIV/AIDS (KNP+) today launched advocacy campaign on treatment under the theme “Promoting access campaign” at the Conference Hall of NNP+ Secretariat, Wooden Cottage, Kohima. Talking on the importance of promoting access to treatment services, Dr. Nyan from KDACC also maintained that “care and support” too play major role in addressing the issue.
Also stressing on the need to put more platforms to address the issue, he requested various organizations to come forward and put their head together to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS in the state. Dr. Nyan also declared open the launch of poster campaign in connection with promoting access campaign.
Anu from KNP+ informed that the campaign has been launched to promote universal access to care, support and treatment service including ART among People Living with HIV (PLHA) by involving various stake holders like NACO.
Government announced free ART in 2004, for people living with HIV at six high prevalence states. Over the period of three years, around 55,000 people living with HIV are accessing free ART through government support system. As per the NACO plan at the end of 2008, around 1, 00, 000 people living with HIV have to access ART. However, the ART centers and services need to be substantially scaled up to reach this number by the end of 2008.
Most of the positive persons are unaware about treatment option, re-infection, positive prevention and reproductive health care issues. In the rural areas, especially, people living with HIV are unable to access treatment due to lack of awareness, knowledge, self- stigma, financial constraints on ART and its services.
“Henceforth INP+ has planned to advocate for increasing access to quality services and ART through its “Promoting Access” campaign at the grass root level in all six states, with the active involvement of people living with HIV and various stake holders,” a concept paper said.
Nagaland is one among the 6th highest prevalence state. Total number tested reads at 83, 013, and total HIV positive stands at 4652 since 1994 till May 2007, it said adding that “of which only 398 are registered for ART henceforth the need to disseminate and reach out the community is the need of the hour.” The objective of the campaign is to create awareness among people living with HIV on care, support and treatment services.
It also aims to strengthen the partnership among the key decision maker and district level networks for creating an enabling environment for people living with HIV. ADVOCACY STRATEGY: All 6 DLNs will organize a public campaign with the involvement of District Collector, District AIDS Advisory Committee Coordinators, District AIDS Control Committee, Deputy Director of Tuberculosis, Joint Director of Health Service, ART Nodal Medical Officer, District Rural Authority, District Legal Cell, NGOs, media, general public and other stake holders, present positive testimonies to address issues on treatment and access and dialogues with the government officials and various services providers.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES: Increase awareness, knowledge among people living with HIV on care, support and treatment, positive prevention and its services, create a support environment for people living with HIV to access treatment and its services, strengthened partnership of DLN with government officials and various stake holders and reduce level of stigma and discrimination within the community.
Earlier, the function was chaired by Aka. Hotokhu P. Zhimomi, president KBPF said a prayer while Levo, general secretary KNP+ briefed the functions and activities of KNP+. Sharing by Seyiekolie, talk on treatment issues by Dr. Abo and vote of thanks by Abel, president, KNP+ also marked the function.
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