ANPUD appeals NNagaDao, state govt

Drawing attention to the decision of NNagaDAO to close all the HIV targeted IDCs on February 15 and 16, 2016 across Nagaland and also hold a peaceful protest for non-release of fund by the Nagaland government, the Bangkok-based Asian Network of People who Use Drugs (ANPUD) has expressed serious concern that the harm reduction services for people who inject drugs and other key population would not be made available in Nagaland owing to closure.

In a press release, ANPUD regional coordinator Anand Chabungbam the proposed protest could create a serious setback to all HIV prevention interventions, and a threat to the lives of thousands of key populations, including People who Inject Drugs. “This will be a major drawback on all the hard work and wonderful outcomes achieved after decades of joint initiative by the government, civil societies and NGOs in the state,” said Anand.

ANUPD has therefore appealed to NNagaDAO to reconsider its decision and to ensure that the service delivery was uninterrupted for the community. ANPUD has also requested chief minister T.R. Zelliang to look into the matter for immediate release of all HIV programme grants without any further delay.

Following NNagaDAO’s proposed rally in all the headquarters on February 15 to protest against non-release of HIV programme grant for several months, the state finance department has written to the health & family welfare (H&FW) department pertaining to release of funds with regard to implementation of HIV & AIDS control programmes.

In a letter to principal director (H&FW), the secretary finance Y.Kikheto Sema stated that the state government “wishes to give priority to such proposals despite resource constraints as their services are noble.”

Secretary finance reminded the H&FW principal director that the funds which were earlier received from the Centre have already been released to the department. The finance department stated that it was now in receipt of some funds on February 6, 2016 and February 10, 2016 from the Centre. 

However, the finance department stated that the proposal for the same has not been received from the H&FW department.

State finance department has therefore requested H&FW department to submit proposal to the finance department without further delay to enable it to process for release of the same.

Nagaland Users Network (NUN) has appealed to all the district level network and community members to cooperate and participate in the silent protest rally organized by NNaga-DAO on February 15 and 16.

In a press release, NUN president Rokozo said delay in releasing HIV & AIDS funds has compromised the quality of services and weakened HIV intervention programmes thereby putting the lives of users at risk.

NUN has appeals to the state government to take the HIV prevention programme seriously, which would prevent new infections and HIV related deaths in the state.