Shahkai Konyak
November 29
MON (MExN): Mon district is all set to observe World AIDS Day on December 1 along with the rest of the World. The district having the highest population, lowest literacy rate and lower per capita income in the State is reportedly having a very low level of awareness on HIV/AIDS. The HIV prevention programme in the district has not been implemented satisfactorily largely due to lack of public awareness and indifferent attitude of policy makers about the magnitude of the problem in the district.
The district being recognized as the most backward area in the State on all counts, the danger of devastating the entire economy and society because of the HIV threat is indescribable. Social stigma and discriminatory attitude of the people towards HIV is very high due to ignorance and illiteracy. It is also projected that there could be more number of hidden HIV positive cases in the district given the uncomfortable and un-conducive environment in relation to HIV in the society. Many HIV positive patients of the district reportedly reside and avail services away from the home district at an NGO/Govt run care center or Hospice.
Although a few local NGOs are slowly coming up much more still needs to be done. According to health workers the funds received from AIDS Control Govt agency is not sufficient. “Though we are trying our best, even involving unpaid volunteer and training them, we still need many more trained and committed staff in spreading the programme”, says the Chairman Shansham Organization (Local NGO implementing IVDUS project supported by NSACS).
As per the PSA report conducted by Shansham Organization and Walo Organization (Local NGO) supported by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society during 2005 it was found that “there are about 38 registered and known cases of HIV positive in Mon civil hospital since 2001. It was also reported that there has been many cases of AIDS related death in the district. Awareness level is very low especially in the rural areas. There has been no intervention done in most of the areas. 20-30 drug related death cases are registered every year in the areas resulting from overdose, suicide and AIDS related disease.
These groups of people are mainly youths in the age group of 16-30. At an average, 5-10 STI/VDRL cases are registered every day at civil Hospital Mon. It is also projected that about 23 HIV positive cases at ANC ward was registered during 2005. Five cases of HIV positive among anti-natal mothers during 2003 were also registered and confirmed”.
The district is reportedly having the biggest drug problem in the state. It is projected that there are about 20,000 (twenty thousand) regular drug addicts in the district. According to a local NGO working in the field, the injecting drug users who are considered to be among the high risk group are also very high. Raw opium was also reported to be a good substitution for Injecting pharmaceutical drug during off season. Inflow of illicit drug in the district is very easy due to its proximity to neighboring Assam State and Myanmar. Every year the student’s body destroyed dozens of illegal drug consignment.
Premarital sexual practices are also very high. Every year of the newly settled families, it was found that only 0.5% observed formal matrimonial ceremony in the Church. Many young couples in the age group of 15-18 yrs with children is visible and reportedly very high in the urban area which indicate that there are high number of unprotected sexual activities in the district.
Given the dimension of the above fact and finding, Mon NGO supported by Futures Group (AVAHAN) Kohima, World Vision, DACS 20 AR, NYK MDPSA is all set to observe the day at public foot ball ground for mass public awareness, sensitization of the issues and to show solidarity with the rest of the world in mainstreaming the epidemic.
The organizing Committee has appealed for support and show of solidarity in making the programme a threshold in fight against the menace in the society.
