Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 4
The two days workshop on prevention of HIV/AIDS, organized by V.V Giri National Labour Institute, Noida in collaboration with Labour Department Nagaland, and Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, culminated today held at Millennium Hotel.
Kohima Press Club (KPC) president, K.V.Nurumi presented a paper presentation on “Awareness and Prevention of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland and the way forward”.
Recalling a public address, delivered by Minister for Health & Family welfare, Kuzholuzo Neinu held recently at Sanis Town under Wokha District, who stated Nagaland stands second in the list next to Manipur in the country, Nurumi termed as ‘unfortunate’ and questioned where we have failed.
Calculating on the AIDS cases reported 3458 reported where the disease has taken a toll of 486 lives the president wished the presentation to touch upon the issues relating to prevention and awareness on HIV/AIDS in the State and how effective the media can play its role in this campaign and urged upon the Government, NGOs, Church and People Living with HIV/AIDS to work in close collaboration and involvement of the media for effective prevention and awareness campaigns.
He termed the media as a vehicle for disseminating any forms of information, which can reach to all sections of people including labour, both organized and unorganized sectors and conveys information and moulds public opinion.
While acknowledging the stakeholders involved in the fight against the dreaded disease, NSACS, NGOs involved and stated that HIV infection is wholly preventable if timely action is taken. If workers living with HIV are placed on effective treatment, they can continue leading a normal productive life for many years.
Stating that AIDS is no longer a public health issue but has become a seriously socio-economic and developmental concern Nurumi added that there is an immediate need to act with an utmost sense of urgency and seriousness as when a disease is a multifaceted malady which impacts and affects a society, remedies have to be multi pronged and said media can be an instrument which facilitates awareness and thus prevent the disease from taking its menacing toll. The ever increasing number of AIDS cases has reached overwhelmingly not only in the country but here in our State as well, where with the passage of time, the role of media has become increasingly significant.
Keeping the media in top priority, he said the media can play an important role in creating widespread awareness on HIV/AIDS, to promote the positive attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS, and influencing people to change high risk behavior that make them vulnerable to the infection. It has a pivotal role to play in a fight against AIDS. I think Education can be a vaccine against AIDS.
Nurumi highlighted the role of media who are capable in performing on prevention of the disease through Channel of Communication, A vehicle for inspiration, Facilitator for removing Stigma and discrimination attached with the disease and a A tool for creating a knowledge base for HIV/AIDS related services
Nurumi said the medias are aware to be careful while reporting on HIV/AIDS as the affected person holds a strong social stigma which needs an urgent attention in dissolving the social stigma related to it.
He also urged the government to revise their records and come out with more details about the quality and nature of life of those who were highly vulnerable and also provide success stories of those carrying on with life despite being HIV positive.
Nurumi suggested, in media perception, Close-door seminars and workshops does not help in creating awareness. The people involved in this should reach out to the grassroots level and make people understand about the threat that is looming large on Nagaland. He also mentioned aboth the needs to be highlights of the achievements of the concerned department towards their fight against HIV/AIDS and also the Church, which is the best platform of information on prevention and awareness of the disease.
