ARK Foundation proposes to initiate 'Governor’s Award for outstanding contribution in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention and control'
Kohima, March 28 (MExN): The ARK Foundation, Kohima today made a proposal to the Governor of Nagaland to initiate Governor’s Award during the Republic Day celebration titled as “Award for Outstanding contribution in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention and control”.
ARK Foundation, president, Ketho Angami in a press statement said that such a prestigious award given to NGO sector working in HIV/AIDS will speak volume of the government applauding the contribution of the workers.
Highlighting the need to recognize the contribution and work of individuals and NGOs related to HIV/AIDS, ARK Foundation said that Nagaland, of the latest 2014-15 HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) continue to remain the highest in the country with a prevalence rate of 1.29% compared to that of the national average which is just 0.29%, while the adult prevalence rate in Nagaland stood at 0.73%. It is indeed a success story to mention about the drastic decline of HIV/AIDS prevalence amongst the Injecting drug users with an earlier reported rate of 39% to 2.26% (HSS 2014-15), the foundation informed.
ARK Foundation stated that over the years, it has come across many genuine social workers who have sacrificed their entire life working for the cause of HIV/AIDS in the state and through the NACO’s National AIDS Control Programs initiation; the HIV/AIDS has generated more than a thousand of employees (including the NGO Peer Educators) who works even on Holidays. “These workers can be considered as the AIDS sentry of the state trying to ensure that the state’s HIV/AIDS scenario can be addressed. However, these unsung heroes continue to work with their sheer commitment as their driving force and without the state Government acknowledging their massive contribution,” the ARK Foundation added.
It also added that there is still a great need to continue responding to prevention the epidemic and therefore, ARK Foundation opined that such an award will really boost the confidence, enthusiasm and commitment of the field workers and will go a long way in “Getting to Zero - AIDS related deaths, discrimination, new infections”.
“If required, we will be available for further deliberation at your time availability and convenient. We can be reached at 9436400666,” ARK Foundation conveyed to the Governor.
