Nagaland observes Intl AIDS candlelight memorial

NLA speaker Sazo appeals people to discuss AIDS issues at every forum 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 19

Nagaland along with the rest of the world today observed International AIDS Candlelight Memorial.

In a service held here at the Zonal Council Hall, Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Chotisuh Sazo said the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is one of the world’s oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV awareness. 

It takes place every third Sunday in May, led by a coalition of 1,200 community organizations in 115 countries, and is coordinated at the global level by the Global Network of People Living with HIV.

When the AIDS Candlelight Memorial was held first in 1983, no one could have predicted the scale of the global epidemic. 

“With millions of lives lost and around 33 million people currently living with HIV, HIV remains a challenging reality. While for many people HIV has become a chronic disease, many others lack access to treatment and experience HIV related stigma and discrimination. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial reminds us of the impact that HIV has on our lives locally and globally,” Sazo said.

Also touching on the adverse effect of HIV/AIDS, he said no state or country is free from the clutches of this menace. 

On this International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, the Speaker said, it is pertinent to note that to combat this “dreaded disease” there should be ceaseless efforts from every level to set people free from the deadly effect of this disease. In this, Sazo said, it is the concern of every one to give collective efforts in preventing the disease and to provide love and care to those who are living with HIV. 

Also sharing solidarity on the occasion, NNP+ President said that in Nagaland, since 2004, 9488 people infected, out of which 4486 are women and 677 are children. Chotisuh Sazo extended sincere appreciation to the founder of NNP+, which was formally formed on 13 March 2002 by seven positive members with a strong vision for Nagaland.

With the formation of this community, People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nagaland has improved their overall quality of life by giving a human face to the epidemic. 

“Although our government has made access to treatment a priority programme, people enrolled in ART programmes is still low and this life saving treatment is still inaccessible to many living in remote parts of the state. We still hear of people including children dying of HIV related complications, largely due to inaccessibility to other critical co-infections or co-related diseases such as Hepatitis C or multi drug resistance TB which is totally unacceptable,” the President of NNP+ said.

When we talk about access to treatment, we are not only talking about ART, we are also talking about all co-related infections-even treatment for cancer or liver or heart diseases. All of us need to work together in solidarity to realize this crucial dream of quality of life, the NNP+ President said.

The President said Candlelight memorial is a solemn event, an event in which we can and must honor the contributions of fellow comrades who died fighting and advocating for the cause of the community.

The President also stressed on the need to solemnly pledge to those who died with lack of access to treatment and fear of stigma which “we are doing everything we can, to the best of our ability and with uttermost urgency and care to promote the best quality of health for everyone living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.”

We must also deal directly with people’s fear and indifferences in our approach. We need to spend our resources and our time with communities and institutions that are promoting for the welfare of PPHIVs, drug users, ex workers and gay communities. We need to reach out to them too for without winning their hearts and minds, our battle with HIV will never be over. Awareness raising, community mobilization, advocacy, prevention and treatment programmes must all go hand in hand, the President said.

In his speech, Sazo also said, “I feel proud to say that with the involvement of Nagaland the Legislators Forum on AIDS, much has been accomplished. But the need of the hour is that the grassroots level people have to be scrutinized, as they are the most neglected section of the community. The Nagaland Legislators’ Forum on HIV/AIDS is committed in achieving the goal within the time frame set.”

The Speaker appealed to all members of local bodies to play a role in taking forward the community through mass appeal, and to discuss the issue at every forum thereby constantly bringing the issue before the public to make them conscious. 
Further, he made a fervent appeal to the educated youth to make constant efforts to create awareness about effects of HIV/AIDS among people living in their respective areas in order to shape a healthy society.

NNP+ President urged the state government to continue to understand and respond appropriately to the issues and problems facing people with HIV and at the same time requested the government to make political commitment towards strengthening and improving the overall quality of life for the community, including PLHIV in all government welfare programmes and social entitlements in order to achieve the goal of improved health and holistic living for all.