World AIDS Day:  Workable strategies and policies to mitigate HIV prevalence

Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 1

Along with the rest of the world, Nagaland also observed ‘World AIDS Day’ on the theme “End inequalities, End AIDS, End pandemics” here at IMC hall on Wednesday. The programme was organized by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS).

Director, Health & Family Welfare, Dr K Vikato Kinimi, who also holds charge of NSACS as project director, said the state-level World AIDS was observed in Dimapur taking into account that Dimapur is the highest HIV prevalence district in Nagaland.

The NSACS project director urged all stakeholders to help create innovative workable and achievable strategies and policies in order to mitigate and reduce the HIV prevalence rate, reduce stigma and discrimination and also provide unending support and create an enabling environment to those affected by the disease.

“To achieve our goals, we should all support each other and come together as one entity, so that we can make our goals a reality,” Dr Kinimi said.

Underscoring on the theme, Dr Kinimi informed that in 2021, the UN AIDS is highlighting the urgent need to end the inequalities that drive AIDS and other pandemics around the world.

The NSACS project director informed that tackling inequalities is a long standing global promise and said that in 2015, all countries pledged to reduce inequalities within and between countries as part of the sustainable development goals.

He also said that the global AIDS strategy 2021-2026: End equalities, End AIDS and the political declaration on AIDS adopted at the 2021 UN high-level meeting on AIDS, have ending inequalities at their core.

Further, Dr Kinimi, acknowledged the partner NGOs, development partners and all stakeholders for the support, guidance and partnership, towards combating and mitigating the impact of HIV and AIDS in the state over the years and encouraged all to gear up in order to achieve the targets and goals.

I-Tech India technical expert and activist, Abhina Aher also spoke on the occasion, stating that this was the first time the transgender community has taken part in the World AIDS Day celebration, as she introduced eight transgender persons to the audience.  

Short speeches were also delivered by Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU), Patkai Christian College, Dimapur RRC member Khakhuli Chishi, DLSA, Dimapur, voices of the community was shared by PLHIV Achobeni Mozhui, affected families and HRG. Deputy CMO Dimapur, Dr Antoly Suu, chaired the programme while NNP+ president Lanu Aier highlighted on the significance of the day. A minute’s silence was also observed for those who lost their lives to AIDS followed by release of story book series on HIV and AIDS & A/V presentation. Joint director (IEC), NSACS), Metevinuo Sakhrie proposed vote of thanks.