Advocacy on HIV and AIDS and drug related issues held
Jakhama, August 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Users’ Network (NUN) Targeted Intervention (TI) Jakhama and HCMC Jakhama, supported by Nagaland Health Project (NHP) organized an advocacy and sensitization programme on HIV and AIDS and drug related issues with the stakeholders and HRGs at Jakha Town Hall on August 4.
A press release from NUN TI Jakhama stated that the programme was attended by 80 stakeholders, comprising of leaders and representatives from various organizations and partner NGOs.
Abou Mere, Director Kripa, Advisor NUN spoke on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 (HIV AIDS Act) and Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Mere stated that the HIV and AIDS bill 2014 was passed by Rajya Sabha on March 21, 2017, Lok Sabha on April 11, 2017, the bill received presidential assent on April 20, 2017. Section 2(1) of the HIV and AIDS Act explicitly states that the Act extends to the whole of India. “Therefore, state of Nagaland is no exception and the HIV and AIDS Act is applicable in our State,” he stated.
He said that HIV and AIDS Act is a rights-based legislation that seeks to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS and to protect the human rights of persons affected by and vulnerable to HIV or AIDS. Section 2(s) defines ‘Protected Persons’ as those who are HIV positive or who live, reside or cohabit with a person who is/was HIV positive, and 3 (c) specifically prohibits discrimination against protected persons in the form of the denial or discontinuation of, or, unfair treatment in, healthcare services.
Mere also highlighted on the NDPS Act. “Substance use disorders are serious problem adversely affecting the social fabric of the country. Dependence to substances not only affects the individual’s health but also disrupts their families and the whole society,” he stated. Therefore, Mere called upon the stakeholders for collective effort to address substance use and abuse problem holistically.
Vikukhoto Rolnu, Program Manager, NUN TI Jakhama stated that drug addiction is a disease that affects the brain, alters behavior and mental well being of an individual. “Therefore, in order to overcome drug addiction an individual needs external help of doctors or professional health workers.” He also informed that OST is an organized treatment programme which aim at prevention of HIV among drug users. It is an evidence based strategy for the treatment of opiod dependence.
Earlier, the programme started with invocation led by Puzoto Sophie, Pastor, Jakha Town Baptist church, keynote address by Seketole Kera (ORW), exhortation by Kulvi Zhotso, President, JSU and vote of thanks by Visakhol Natso (ORW).
