Kohima, October 20 (DIPR): “It is heartening to note that the prevalence rate of HIV in our State is reduced to 0.78% which is a remarkable achievement for which credit goes to State AIDS Control Society under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Churches and other agencies involved” stated Minister for Urban Development, Dr. Shürhozelie while speaking at the second day of the seminar on HIV & AIDS by Legislators’ Forum on AIDS held on October 19 at PHQ Conference Hall, Kohima.
Dr. Shürhozelie said that the main purpose for forming the Legislators’ Forum on HIV & AIDS was to bring down the prevalence rate of HIV from 1.25% as it stood on record in 2007-08 which was rated as the second highest among the six high prevalent States in the country. He informed that the main objective of the Forum is to work in close partnership with the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. He said that the churches can play an effective role for prevention of HIV/AIDS through its teaching of morality based on Christian faith.
Shürhozelie congratulated the NGOs for working hard continuously by creating awareness particularly among the young people and further said that such type of seminar will have far reaching effect towards achieving our “zero” goal in the State at par with other States. He said that we need to accommodate avenues to support and provide assistance through various schemes and to all who are affected in one way or the other by HIV/AIDS.
Special guest and resource person Rev. Dr. Ravichandran, Counselor in the AIDS Foundation Project Manager, Denmark said that cooperation between Government organisation, NGOs and FBNGOs is the most important key to achieve the vision. He said that if we work with collective efforts and approach in tackling HIV, there is a chance to bring it to zero degree. He suggested that Testing Centres could be important agents for highlighting proper awareness to the community on HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Ravichandran said counseling and giving service in the society helps in moulding human life and enriching it to bring changes in the community and is a great achievement. He encouraged the gathering to mobilize people and voluntarily help the society. He also encouraged the State to establish check points in the central station in order to achieve HIV/AIDS zero infection, zero-death, zero stigma and discrimination. He further encouraged the state government to give full backing of government organization to make the triangle vision complete in the State and added that government organization could empower NGOs and FBNGOs. He also stated that fighting HIV mandates engagement of the entire society with major media coverage against discrimination and stigma and observed that everybody should heal the mind of HIV/AIDS infected persons which will usher in change in Nagaland.
The programme was chaired by MLA & Chairman NKVIB, Dr. Nicky Kire while prayer and Bible reading were offered by Chaplain of NLA, Rev. K. Luruo. Special number was presented by Kenei Chale, Ambassador, AIDS and vote of thanks was proposed by Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Chumben Murry.
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