Dimapur, Oct 4 (MExN): The Dimapur District AIDS Control Committee organized a consultative meet today with GBs of Dimapur at the conference hall of Highway 39, Padum Pukhuri, on the theme ‘Collective Action and Support’. Around eighty GBs from the district attended the meet.
President of Positive Peoples Foundation, Abemo, said that being infected with AIDS does not mean that life ends there. He also said that the objective of the PPF was to prevent AIDS and to save the future generation. Speaking on stigma and discrimination, Abemo said that AIDS patients are very much human, and they can still lead a healthy life. He further appealed that it is not money they need but “your love, your care, your support, and since you are all fathers, we need your fatherly support and we have to change our attitude.’
Earlier, the welcome speech was given by the coordinator of DAC, Dr Mhabemo Ovung. He also gave a short highlight on the AIDS scenario in the state and the problems obstacles in the fight against the disease.
Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, KN Ngullie who is also the Chairman of the DACC, exhorted the GBs that they have a great role in this AIDS campaign. He also asked the participants to ‘listen very attentively’ to the resource persons and ‘go to their respective sectors to bring some changes in the fight’ against the dreaded disease.
Director of Prodigal’s Home, K Ela, one of the resource persons said that the venerable population include drug users, commercial sex-workers, street and slum children, school dropouts, AIDS patients who are vulnerable to drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, STD etc. these section of the people face harassment, stigma and discrimination, the Director reminded.
The programme also saw the Reformation Singers performing three special numbers.
