Nagaland: Need behavioural changes to stay HIV free

DBCK organises community outreach prog cum flashmob

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 16

The Red Ribbon Club (RRC) of Don Bosco College Kohima in collaboration with Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) today organised Community Outreach Programme-cum-Flashmob under the theme “Rise for Red” at Old NST Kohima.

NSACS Joint Director Dr M Nukshisangla Jamir said that in context to HIV disease, “we all need behavioural changes in order to stay HIV free.” 

“This is based on the most important route of HIV spread in Nagaland which is the sexual route followed by sharing of infected needles and syringes and mother to child transmission, besides transfusion of HIV infected blood, she said while addressing the programme as the guest speaker.

HIV medicines can suppress the multiplication of HIV virus present in the blood as long as the person takes the medication regularly and lifelong and the person can live a life just like any other normal person who does not have HIV, she said. “We dream of a prosperous, healthy and wealthy society with dynamic leaders, booming economy just like the advanced nations that we hear and see around us but unless we develop the responsibility to take care of our own body, our own health, develop healthy and safe behaviours, we will not achieve progress that we desire,” she said.

Dr Jamir asked those who are involved in risky behaviours to get tested and follow the Counselor’s and the Doctor's guidance. “For those who are HIV positive and on treatment, please never ever skip your daily dose because you have to move on with your daily life, earn a living, work for yourself and your family,” she said.   

For those who are HIV negative, please stay safe, because all diseases comes with a price tag which we end up paying heavily indeed, Dr Jamir added. “Love your health, love your body, stay aware and stay safe because at the end of the day, we are Grand Master of our body and our health,” she said.

It is high time we come out of the closet of HIV, demystify the fears surrounding HIV disease, start looking at HIV virus just like other germ causing disease, she asserted.

‘Nobody should die of HIV or AIDS’
In this advanced modern world, nobody should die of HIV or AIDS, Dr Jamir said adding that life should go on even if you are tested and is HIV positive and is on treatment.

However, those HIV positives who fail to accept the infection will eventually be consumed by the disease, she said.

She said that services are available at all the govt hospitals, even up to the level of villages at the Sub Centres and HWCs, like free counselling, free HIV/syphilis testing, free viral load testing, free CD4 count, free treatment etc. There are also the Targeted Intervention sites which are implemented through NGOs for the High Risk Groups all over the districts where comprehensive package of services are available.

Recently, she said, City Barns have been launched in some districts which is becoming very popular among adolescents and youths. “Let us embrace the reality that we are living in. Let us all be accountable and responsible for our own health. Let us give our health the best shot. Let us all stay safe,” she added.

Bendang Jamir, Nodal Officer, RRC, Bon Bosco College Kohima also spoke at the programme. Songs, Quiz and flashmob marked the programme.