Network of Naga People Living with HIV/AIDS (NNP+) organized a one day advocacy programme on Vihaan care and support with the Kohima Chambers of Commerce & Industries (KCCI) and other NGOs here at LCS Building.
Highlighting Vihaan care and support, state programme manager Bendang said under round 4 RCC Phase II, implementing partners are National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and India HIV/AIDS Alliance as the principal recipient, under its title “Scaling up care, support and treatment services for the People Living with HIV and with its goal to improve the survival and quality of life of People Living with HIV.” The programme started on April 1, 2013 to continue till March 31, 2016.
To ensure access to care and support services through 350 care and support centres (CSC) in India, Vihaan started with 225 CSC to be increased to 250 CSC. By second year, it will be increased to 350 CSC across the states of India.
The overall objective of the Vihaan care and support is to strengthen care and support services and improve drug adherence, he said.
In Nagaland, Kohima, Dimapur and Tuensang have been selected for CSC while Wokha, Peren, Zunheboto, Kiphire, Phek and Mokokchung were selected as help desks. Altogether, 9 districts have been accessing the Vihaan CSC services under the National Programme on extended care and support for PLHIV which is supported by GFATM Round –IV Phase II (Global Fund).
NNP+ president Naomi Semy said despite the effort to reduce the prevalence rate of HIV&AIDS, the state still remain as high as 0.88 %. She stated stigma and discrimination, disclosure to the near and close ones, income, self-stigma, access to service and denial are still there.
KCCI vice president Zhabu Sekhose also shared the activities of KCCI while Ella Mary compered the function.
