Country representative, UNICEF, Karin Hulshof (Centre) flanked by Minister for School Education Nyeiwang Konyak (L) Minister for Health & Family Welfare Kuzholuzo Nienu (R) and other officials at Hotel CIMORB Kohima On April 4. Karin and her entourage are on a three day visit to Nagaland, with a primary objective to learn and understand about the situation and emerging needs of children in Nagaland beyond HIV/AIDS. (DIPR Photo)
Dimapur, April 4 (DIPR): Country representative, UNICEF, Karin Hulshof and her entourage are on a three day visit to Nagaland, with a primary objective to learn and understand about the situation and emerging needs of children in Nagaland beyond HIV/AIDS.
Over a breakfast meeting today, April 4, 2011 at Hotel CIMORB, Minister for Health & Family Welfare Kuzholuzo Nienu highlighted on the scenario of AIDS in Nagaland to the visiting UNICEF officials. He pointed out that few months’ back Nagaland was unfortunately placed second in the list of high HIV prevalent States in the country. However with the assistance of NSACS, legislators, civil societies, churches and NACO, today Nagaland has been brought down to fourth slot with a prevalence rate of 0.178%, Azo informed. Dwelling at length on the LFA, the Health Minister informed Karin and the other officials about the various activities undertaken by the forum, with the contribution of Rs. 1 lakh each by all the legislators. ‘With this fund we create awareness on HIV/AIDS in our respective constituencies and also sponsor trips outside the State to learn more and help more’, he added.
In the meeting, Karin was impressed to learn about the downward trend of HIV/AIDS and was keen to know how the prevalence rate came down. Towards this end, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Menukhol John credited the civil based organization for sensitizing the people, the political commitment and awareness at the bureaucratic level. People at large have clapped their hands together to bring the downward trend of HIV prevalence in Nagaland and it is time to press the accelerator, to halt and reverse the epidemic, Menukhol opined. During the meeting, Menukhol John highlighted on enlarging the school curriculum, cross border transmission, upscaling of ICTC mobile units, care and support centres, and felt that these were the key areas of concern that could be looked into by the UNICEF.
Nagaland Minister for School Education, Nyeiwang Konayk who also attended the meeting impressed upon the UNICEF officials with regard to the nutrition and awareness of HIV/AIDS imparted to the students and suggested for strengthening these sectors. A representative from Social Welfare department voiced his concern about the issue of stigma and suggested that more efforts need to be given to the research process.
Karin was also impressed with the activities of LFA and the political commitment of legislators in the fight against HIV/AIDS and suggested that politicians shake hands or hold a baby with HIV/AIDS to reduce the stigma. ‘It will be a very good example to show unity against HIV/AIDS and also to show that transmission does not take place by holding each other’, she said. Besides others, the meeting was attended by Chief Field Services India, Edovard Beigbeder, Master Chief Field Office Assam, Jeero and HIV Specialist UNICEF, Assam, Upasana Varu.
Over a breakfast meeting today, April 4, 2011 at Hotel CIMORB, Minister for Health & Family Welfare Kuzholuzo Nienu highlighted on the scenario of AIDS in Nagaland to the visiting UNICEF officials. He pointed out that few months’ back Nagaland was unfortunately placed second in the list of high HIV prevalent States in the country. However with the assistance of NSACS, legislators, civil societies, churches and NACO, today Nagaland has been brought down to fourth slot with a prevalence rate of 0.178%, Azo informed. Dwelling at length on the LFA, the Health Minister informed Karin and the other officials about the various activities undertaken by the forum, with the contribution of Rs. 1 lakh each by all the legislators. ‘With this fund we create awareness on HIV/AIDS in our respective constituencies and also sponsor trips outside the State to learn more and help more’, he added.
In the meeting, Karin was impressed to learn about the downward trend of HIV/AIDS and was keen to know how the prevalence rate came down. Towards this end, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Menukhol John credited the civil based organization for sensitizing the people, the political commitment and awareness at the bureaucratic level. People at large have clapped their hands together to bring the downward trend of HIV prevalence in Nagaland and it is time to press the accelerator, to halt and reverse the epidemic, Menukhol opined. During the meeting, Menukhol John highlighted on enlarging the school curriculum, cross border transmission, upscaling of ICTC mobile units, care and support centres, and felt that these were the key areas of concern that could be looked into by the UNICEF.
Nagaland Minister for School Education, Nyeiwang Konayk who also attended the meeting impressed upon the UNICEF officials with regard to the nutrition and awareness of HIV/AIDS imparted to the students and suggested for strengthening these sectors. A representative from Social Welfare department voiced his concern about the issue of stigma and suggested that more efforts need to be given to the research process.
Karin was also impressed with the activities of LFA and the political commitment of legislators in the fight against HIV/AIDS and suggested that politicians shake hands or hold a baby with HIV/AIDS to reduce the stigma. ‘It will be a very good example to show unity against HIV/AIDS and also to show that transmission does not take place by holding each other’, she said. Besides others, the meeting was attended by Chief Field Services India, Edovard Beigbeder, Master Chief Field Office Assam, Jeero and HIV Specialist UNICEF, Assam, Upasana Varu.
