Wokha, September 12 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho, Team Metamorphosis, church leaders, Lotha Student’s Union and Lotha youth Hoho held a programme on ‘Innovative and suggestive actions: removal of stigma around COVID-19’ on September 12 at Deputy Commissioner Conference hall, Wokha.
This month-long event is conducted in convergence with Local Administration and involving stakeholders in the district as part of the Poshan Maah (Poshan Abhiyaan) activities.
SDO (C) Wokha Chonpenthung Ezung said Poshan Maah is a month-long activity specifically made to target and sensitize on malnutrition. He stated that right nourishment and proper nutrition can help prevent various diseases. Good nutrition is the key to good health as it helps maintain and improve our health, he added.
He also stressed on the importance of disseminating right information in order to do away with stigma and discrimination about the doctors, frontline workers, sanitation workers and police, as they are rendering their best of services tirelessly to provide care and support during the pandemic.
Ezung also thanked the NGOs led by the Lotha Hoho, LSU, Lotha Youth Hoho and other civil societies for coming forward in extending their helping hand in combating COVID-19. He also highlighted on the importance of 3Ws: Wear mask, Wash hands and Watch your distance.
The SDO also appealed to all the civil societies to continue in helping the government in combating the disease.
Dr Thungjanbeni S Patton, while sharing on the topic ‘Removal of stigma around COVID-19’ said, this virus is going to stay with us and it now our responsibility to take all precautionary measures by following SOPs and guideline for our safety. She further stressed on the need to understand the mental trauma the frontline workers and returnees are facing/undergoing due to stigma and discrimination as they have the feeling of rejection and may not be their normal selves again. She urged everyone to extend support and care to overcome the depression.
She also shared the need to avoid spreading wrong information and maintain privacy and confidentiality of the persons living with the virus.
District Coordinator, Poshan Abhiyaan, Shanjothung Ngullie led the gathering in reading out the pledge. He also informed that so far 164 Poshan Maah activities have been carried out within the district since September 1, and called for continued support for the successful conduct of the remaining events.
