Morung Express News
Kohima | May 31
A short stay home for People Living with HIV was inaugurated at Cradle Ridge, Seithogei Kohima on May 31 with Chief Minister TR Zeliang as the chief guest. The short stay home for HIV patients at Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) Cradle Ridge was funded by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities (FY 2014-15).
While delivering the welcome address, Abeiü Meru, President NMA, shared the works of NMA with PLHIV in Nagaland which was initiated during the time of Neidonuo Angami and Sano Vamuzo and many other prominent women activists. Without any regular funding NMA has been running the Cradle Ridge with support from the Church and well wishers.
The Cradle Ridge has 7 children under its care where the eldest is currently studying in Class 12 in Kohima Science College and the youngest is studying in Class A.
Call to remove stigmatizing
Chief Minister TR Zeliang lauded the NMA for the tireless efforts and service to the Nagas ranging from the problems of drug abuse and AIDs to conflict management and peace in Naga society. “We must all collectively work towards removal of the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. We must spread the awareness that people affected are not necessarily people who had lived careless or promiscuous life style. It can happen to anyone of us through circumstances beyond our control. Society must also remember that keeping these HIV patients within the community and family groups will enable them to have better quality,” stated Zeliang.
“Due to confidentiality and stigma many PLHIV do not want to put up with their relatives during the course of treatment. At the same time accommodation for patients coming for treatment from remote places has been a concern especially for economically weaker section that do not have family members here in Kohima,” stated Lanu, President NNP+. He also highlighted the activities of Naga Mothers’ Association, who, at a time when the Naga society was stigmatizing and discriminating, became the voice of PLHIV by setting up a hospice through which many PLHIV received not only medical assistance by love, care, support and motivation to look forward to life.
Plight of HIV/AIDs orphans highlighted
Dr. Neiphi Kire, Former Principal Director, H & FW highlighted another critical issue, which is the plight of the HIV/AIDs orphans. While states like Tamil Nadu has Community care centre for HIV/AIDs orphans, Nagaland does not have any centres except Cradle Ridge run by NMA.
Dr. Kire informed that due to the lesser number of orphans compared to states like Tamil Nadu, Nagaland does not qualify for funding such centre. However, Dr. Kire noted that whether the number of orphans are few or more the plight of the children are the same.
“The children need education, medication, friends, and space to play. They need protection from being exploited by outside agencies. They need social services and they need religion,” affirmed Dr. Kire. Seeking the support of the Churches, Dr. Kire suggested that the Church can work towards adopting the orphans. Further asserting that Nagaland has a robust system of controlling HIV/AIDS where it has the Nagaland Legislator Forum on AIDS (NLFA), motivated and trained NGOs, Churches and Civil society organizations which has contribute tremendously care and support, Dr. Kire hoped that every institution and organisation will work together to stop the epidemic.
Dr Kire stated how the short stay home came up in 2013 which was discussed at length with the stakeholders. HUDCO provided 75 lakhs for the project while NMA leased out its land for 30-40 years, mentioned Dr. Kire which will be of great help for PLHIV.
LM Yanthan, Regional Chief, HUDCO highlighted about the activities of HUDCO which was established in 1970 and focused on providing affordable housing to the economically weaker sections and low income groups as well as providing basic infrastructure for the marginalized. During the last three financial years, under its CSR activities HUDCO have sanctioned four schemes at a project cost of Rs. 147.55 lacs out of which 121.30 lacs have been already released in Nagaland. The NMA short stay home is a part of this scheme which was sanctioned to NMA in 2014-15 and channelised through the Medical department.
A special song was presented by the children of Cradle Ridge. The inauguration was chaired by Smita Sarangi, IAS, Joint Secretary, H & FW with a dedication prayer by Rev. Dr. Rachülie Vihienuo, Pastor UBC, Kohima.
