Zunheboto, May 15 (MExN): Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) organized one-day advocacy campaign on HIV/AIDS at VK Town under Zunheboto, in partnership with student body and VK Town Urban Station Committee on May 14. MLA Khekaho Assumi was the guest speaker.
A press note received here stated that eight villages with SDO Civil Akuluto, village council board, Goan Buras (GBs), church leaders, youth leaders, village elders, women groups, students and others attended the programme.
MLA Khekaho Assumi, highlighting on the exposure trip to Bangkok for ICAAP in 2013 said that the world has move ahead in addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS and many other related issues on human sexuality. He said that HIV is not an individual issue but a community issue, and encouraged the community and church leaders to come forward in addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS. He argued the church leader to include the message of HIV/AIDS in churches. For prevention, he said, “abstinence is the best method but if it is unavoidable then Condoms are available as defense mechanism against HIV.”
He emphasized that time has come for us to accept every individual irrespective of their sexual identity or HIV status and given equal opportunity to live a better and healthy life without the fear of stigma and discrimination. For more information and treatment updates, he encouraged to take initiative, make use of the available services at the health centers, and avail the expertise of District AIDS Programme Control Units (DAPCU) as they are ready and available to help as and when required. He highlighted on the importance of preventing mother to child transmission, said that it is preventable with proper treatment and care, and therefore encouraged the pregnant mothers to access the health facilities for timely treatment.
He said information dissemination about HIV/AIDS and related issues should be a continued process, “Each individual should support and take up the responsibility of sharing information as prevention is a continuous process and not just one time activity or programme.”
The meeting concluded with Mobile ICTC Van where 44 people came forward for HIV testing.
