Newmai News Network
Kohima | May 24
If the government of Nagaland has its way, then the HIV/AIDS menace the state is facing currently will soon be a thing of the past. Nagaland is among the highest HIV-prevalent states of India. Given the fast spread of the dreaded virus in the state, the Neiphiu Rio government has taken up steps to combat the menace on a war footing. The state government has formulated a policy in this regard as an impetus in eradicating the virus.
Recently, the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) approved the Nagaland state AIDS Policy at the meeting headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on April 29 to address HIV/AIDS and related issues in the state. Rio said at the meeting that the need for a state policy on AIDS to better equip the state to fight against HIV/AIDS has become imperative following the increase in the spread of the virus in the state, and called for collective efforts to make Nagaland a low HIV-prevalence state.
Nagaland is one of the highest HIV-prevalent states in India with a prevalence rate of 1.20%, as per statistics available till March 2009. The Chief Minister was hopeful that the state AIDS policy would guide, direct and form an important tool to address the issue of HIV/AIDS.
Also speaking at that meeting convened by the NSACS, was Minister for health & family welfare, Kuzholuzo Nienu, who said, “We are fighting with a virus but not with the persons who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.” The Minister also appealed to all legislators to organise awareness programmes in their respective constituencies and take ownership to contain the virus.
The Nagaland AIDS policy states that there is a need for collective, coordinated and sustained response to the epidemic so that the epidemic is not only contained but reversed, and adds that combating its spread calls for strong leadership and concerted effort of all stakeholders. “Every political party in Nagaland may ensure that HIV/AIDS and its related issues are mandated in their political agenda and that they will use every possible platform to give proper information and awareness about these issues; and mobilize resources within their reach towards this cause,” the policy states.
The policy also states that ‘Faith Based Organizations (FBOs)’, women, students and youth organizations, tribal hohos, municipal and village councils must play their role by fully utilising the rich social capital already in place in the society, and leaders of all civil societies will be encouraged to take ownership of HIV/AIDS intervention and provide information and education to the general population in all their platforms and programmes.
Further, it has been stated that the existing targeted intervention programmes will be scaled up to cover key populations such as female sex workers, male sex workers, intravenous drug users, truck drivers, migrants, etc. and will facilitate support to the implementing agencies. The state will continue to facilitate the existing needle syringe exchange programme through various agencies, and support and promote condom use and social marketing of condoms as a means of preventing HIV/AIDS infection.
The government will also advocate with the FBOs to incorporate prevention programmes and services within their existing programme/activities and facilities. In collaboration with the FBO leaders and the community, moral education on sexual abstinence for the unmarried and mutual faithfulness in marriage shall be supported and encouraged. The church will be encouraged to impart parenting and life-coping skills.
Regarding reduction and control of cross border drug trafficking, the government will develop collaborative strategies involving the police, excise, military and paramilitary, judiciary and civil society, both within and with neighbouring states/countries, the Nagaland AIDS policy stated.
On the question of stigma and discrimination, the policy called for dissemination of correct and factual information on the route of transmission and prevention and services available. Faith-based organisations and societies will be encouraged to understand and advocate reduction of HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination within the church and community. It assured to ensure that the HIV-affected have full right to participate in community activities and to employment in both the public and private sectors provided she/he meets the specified requirement for the job. “Respect of the individual’s rights and confidentiality shall be maintained at all levels including the care and service providers”, the policy assures.
The policy stated that no educational institution is to deny admission to any person on the basis of HIV status; it assured that HIV status will not be a deterrent to employment opportunities, right to marriage and inheritance; HIV status shall not be a criterion for hospital admission, treatment or surgical procedures; promotion and protection of women’s rights and reduction of their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS shall be ensured, the policy stated.
Women, adolescent girls and people living with disabilities are to be empowered to protect themselves from the risk of HIV infection and that the state will provide protection to any PLHIV facing discrimination on grounds of their status. The policy assured HIV positive women the right to marriage, pregnancy, childbirth and inheritance. All efforts are to be made for the infected and affected children to receive due attention. The policy assured to fully integrate Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in all areas of life including access to general education and care for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
