Kohima, May 20 (MExN): PLHAs and people in Nagaland renewed its concerted efforts in the fights against the HIV/AIDS as they joined the international community in commemorating the Candlelight Memorial Service at the state Academy hall this evening.
Abel, a PLHA and president of the KNP+ recounted how he became a recluse for four years for fear of stigma and discrimination. However, after coming out openly he had the ART which help ed him to live life as a normal being, he asserted, while urging upon other PLHAs to come out openly and avail the medical facilities like ART instead of shying away from the society with fear.
Abel also opined that self –imposed stigma and discrimination is doing more harm to the PLHAs than they suffer stigma and discrimination from the society. “Most of the PLHAs are to scare to come out openly, as a result they suffer double stigma and discrimination-from self imposed one and from the society”, Abel said while addressing the gathering at the International Candlelight Memorial Service at the State Academy Hall on Sunday.
Vihenou, a PLHA, sharing her mind disclosed her suspicion that she contacted the virus from her positive husband. Initially, she was ignorant of her positive status, Veihenou had to spend huge money on medicines and treatment at a private clinic, she recalled. Although, the doctor knew of her case, and had been prescribing ART at the cost of Rs 4000 for 15 tablets, she did not know what type of medicines it is and why she was being medicated. However, when her case was referred to Naga Hospital Kohima she came to know of her positive status.
Now, after declaring her positive status openly, she has managed to regain all honour and respect from the society. She now works as a volunteer, and sometime as counselor in HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns.
“ART has given me life again”, she also beamed she made her fervent appeal to all PLHAs to come out in open and avail the opportunity and joined hand in the fight against the dreaded epidemic.
Dr TM Lotha, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, urged upon the people not to be alarm by the disease, but to take preventive measure and practice safe conduct. Dr Lotha underscored the correct moral of the individual in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS infection. “If you take care of yourself, it is preventable”, said Lotha, while emphasizing the need to practice safe conduct and behaviour.
He also urged upon all PLHAs to avail the ART medicines free of cost and to carry out consistent awareness campaign against the disease.
Earlier, in his key note address Imkongliba, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare opined that one great barrier in the fights against the HIV/AIDS is the stigma and discrimination attached to PLHAs, which discouraged people from getting tested and from seeking treatment. “HIV is an illness. No one should be discriminated against because they are sick. We do not discriminate against people for having cancer or diabetes”, Imkongliba stated.
He said that one crucial is the need to build the capacity of the organizations and networks of PLHAs and to ensure their sustainable funding. Besides, lighting of candles in memory of those people died of AIDS, the solemn was marked by theme song “We have a dream” by Naga male crooner Setso and “Jesus take the wheel” by Kekhriesenou, while children of the NMA AIDS Hopsice presented a choreography.
Meanwhile, as per the latest data available AIDS related deaths in Nagaland has cross 378 (Male 212 and Female 166), including 42 children, half of whom are girls. 50 deaths have been reported during the last nine months period that is from July 2006 and March 2007. 543 new cases of HIV have been reported from the VCTCs in the same period.
In Nagaland, a total of 4389 HIV positive cases have been reported out of 73,837 blood screened in the Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centres (VCTCs) Out of these, 1457 cases of AIDS have been reported (Male 868 and Female 589) from the 58 VCTCs of Nagaland.
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