Kohima, August 29 (MExN): District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) Kohima with Baptist High, Kohima conducted a sensitization programme on HIV/AIDs and the stigma and discrimination associated with it on August 28.
The programme was held with the class 11 and class 12 students. Sentimongla Tzudir, DPO DAPCU, sensitized the students on the basics of HIV/AIDs, facilities under Kohima district where a person can get tested for HIV free of cost and the services available in the district. She also sensitized the students about HIV/AIDS related stigma, its consequences and the need for better knowledge about HIV/AIDS because when HIV transmission is poorly understood by people in the general population, it causes people to feel threatened by the mere presence of the disease.
She added that everyone has a role play in making sure that those who are cared for are accepted by the community and also creating a supporting environment where others who are at risk feel confident to access prevention services and test for HIV.
The sensitization programme was followed by voluntary and free HIV counselling and testing by the Mobile ICTC stationed at the school for the day. Many students voluntarily came forward to test and know their HIV status.
