Nagaland Health & Family Welfare Minister P Paiwang Konyak launches Intensified IEC Campaign in Kohima on August 12. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 12
In a bid to spread mass awareness on HIV & AIDS, the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) today launched “Intensified IEC Campaign 2024” in Kohima in the presence of Nagaland’s Health & Family Welfare Minister, P Paiwang Konyak.
“We have the support of the government agencies, non-governmental organizations, community leaders, educators and the media,” Paiwang said while launching the campaign at NBCC Convention Centre, Kohima. He said that all concerned agencies are working together to amplify “our reach and impact.”
“We need the active participation of every individual in our society as it is only through collective action that we can truly make a difference,” the minister maintained.
The campaign will be for two months period and will cover all districts of Nagaland. The campaign, spearheaded by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), aims to enhance the knowledge levels of general population and equip masses with information about HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
‘Treasure your body, mind and soul’
Delivering keynote address, V Kezo, Commissioner & Secretary for Health & Family Welfare Nagaland, said that every single message will make a lot of difference and urged one and all to spread awareness on HIV & AIDS.
To the young people, Kezo said that the kind of the correct decision they take today will determine their future and would contribute to their physical, mental well-being and state of happiness.
“It is important to take care about yourself,” he said and urged upon them to value themselves as a person. “Treasure your body, mind and soul,” he added.
Later, the minister flagged off the rally from NBCC Convention Centre to Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) junction.
Among the many placard carried by students reads; “Be Agent of Change,” “Stop HIV,” “Get tested- Know your power,” “Say no to drugs,” “Let us stop HIV & AIDS together” etc.
Earlier, Lamgrace Dance Studio scored ‘Flash Mob’ while Moko Koza made a special presentation.
The formal programme was chaired by NSACS project director Dr Ahu Sekhose.
In Kohima, the campaign was marked by exhibition stalls, social media kiosk, photo booth/selfie point, pledge signing, free HIV/Syphilis Counselling and Testing, exciting gifts, interaction with HIV & Drug Users Community, painting, autograph signing and selfie with #RedWarriors (Influencers), games and competition with SDG, and The Birds and The Bees Talk (Plan India).
Campaign aim to reach 780 villages in Nagaland
Meanwhile, NSACS stated that this Intensified IEC Campaign also aim to reach 780 villages in Nagaland through its field functionaries in coordination with the District Administration and Village Council.
At the village level, meeting on HIV & STI awareness will take place including folk performances, school outreach programme, disseminating Information on HIV & STIs at AB-HWCs through IEC materials and Interpersonal communication (IPC) sessions during Village Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition Day (VHSND).
At the Urban level, Youth convention will take place starting with Kohima Zone where the RRC members and nodal officers from 7 districts will be trained as HIV ambassadors.
There will be special camps at Government Hospitals (State and District level) and sensitization for Ombudsman and Complaints Officers on HIV and AIDS Act 2024. Social media platforms such as Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram will be leveraged to create HIV awareness during this campaign.
The theme for each week include- routes of transmission and prevention strategies, myths and misconceptions, risk perception and promotion of services, promotion of National Toll Free AIDS Helpline-1097, condom promotion and safe sexual behaviours, STI prevention and treatment, substance use and drug abuse and stigma and discrimination.
