NSACS Project Director Dr Ahu Sekhose and others with HIV Ambassadors during RRC youth convention 2024 for Kohima Zone on August 13 in Kohima. (Morung Photo)
Nagaland Intensified IEC campaign 2024
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 13
The Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) today hosted a Red Ribbon Club (RRC) Youth Convention 2024 as part of the ongoing Intensified IEC Campaign to spread awareness on HIV & AIDS.
This convention, designed for Kohima Zone (for districts of Kohima, Tseminyu, Wokha, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Kiphire and Phek) took place at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima.
The convention was attended by Ambassadors for HIV and AIDS across the state. Later, NSACS project director Dr Ahu Sekhose inducted delegates from seven districts as HIV Ambassadors (RRC Agents).
FBO: Overcoming stigma and discrimination
Talking on “Faith Based Organization (FBO): Overcoming stigma and discrimination,” Rev N Suhuto Chishi, Youth Secretary, Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) said that in order to fulfill the Biblical mandate to serve, to save and to love, the NBCC have been committing itself to comprehensively combat HIV & AIDS as a caring and nurturing community.
“Since 2002, the NBCC in its own capacity has been working towards prevention and eradicating the spread and growth of HIV &AIDS,” Rev Chishi said.
Nagaland Development Outreach (NDO), which is the development agency of NBCC, has been commissioned the HIV Project in order to mobilize the churches and make a positive contribution to act against the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
And since 2004, NDO has been involved in capacity building of the church leaders by way of organizing training and seminars, advocacy workshops, several awareness program, training of trainers and also by providing resourceful materials to the church leaders, he said.
In collaboration with LFA, it had published two resourceful books on HIV & AIDS.
The NBCC had also formulated and adopted the Policy on HIV & AIDS in 2007 and have been involved in sensitization and advocacy on HIV & AIDS and has been fighting on stigma & discrimination.
Over the years, he said, the NBCC have been partnered with Legislator’s Forum on AIDS (LFA) which was a giant step to combat the alarming increased of HIV & AIDS cases in Nagaland.
Through this partnership, NBCC could actively participate and involve towards sensitization and Advocacy on HIV & AIDS within the churches, he said.
With education and sensitization, people are certainly becoming more open and more aware about HIV & AIDS and they are now coming out for testing, he said.
Role of youth in HIV prevention
Talking on “Role of youth in HIV prevention,” Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) speaker Katho P. Awomi said “In the present context, where HIV continues to disproportionately affect young people, we must recognize that our generation is both vulnerable and vital in this fight.”
Stating that the role of youth in HIV prevention is multifaceted, Awomi said “We must educate ourselves and others about HIV, its transmission, and prevention methods. We must encourage regular testing and engage with our communities, supporting those affected by HIV and advocating for inclusive policies. We must leverage technology and innovation to enhance HIV prevention.”
He underlined the need to take on a leadership role, advocating for programs that prioritize HIV prevention while setting a target to put an end of further infection.
He stressed on the need to amplify awareness campaigns, develop innovative solutions to reach marginalized communities, and initiate for meticulous approach in educating the youths on HIV and its effects.
Stating that youth are the ones who can shape the future, who can challenge the status quo, and who can demand action, Awomi said “We are the ones who can break the silence, who can shatter the stigma, and who can mobilize our communities.”
HIV Professional; Treatment & prevention
Dwelling on the topic “HIV Professional; Treatment & prevention,” Dr Nukshisangla Jamir, Joint Director, BSD, NSACS talked to the youths who have decided to pledge and dedicate their lives for maintaining good and healthy lives for themselves as well as work towards influencing other friends and neighbors too to live a healthy life.
“Being aware about one's own body, developing health seeking behavior and taking full control towards care during sickness is the key to attaining a wholesome health, physically, mentally, socially and spiritually,” she said.
She said adolescents/youths (15-24 years) are much more vulnerable to HIV due to lack of correct information, experimentation of taking risks, and peer pressure.
Earlier, H Viputo Yeptho, National Level RRC Quiz winner 2022 shared his experience as RRC member while Yhuni Khesen, president KNP+ shared stories on positive living. Moko Koza talked on “Influencer” (Based on content creation developed by NSACS and basic information on HIV).
