Orphanage home asked to be equipped with AIDS information

A sensitization and consultation on children issues was organized by Prodigals’ Home with orphanages/children’s homes of Dimapur at Prodigals’ Home Resource Centre, Burma Camp on November 12.

The objective of the programme was to sensitize and discuss various issues related to children, particularly focusing on children infected and affected by HIV & AIDS.
The consultation was attended by representatives from eight children’s homes along with official representatives from DCPS, ICTC and DAPCU and Child line Dimapur.
Kehodi Yoho, District ICTC Supervisor (NSACS) Dimapur and Wati from Prodigals Home, Dimapur highlighted the scenario and status of children infected and affected by HIV.

The increasing trend of infected children was highlighted and raised a serious concern about maximum number of single parent (mothers) taking care of these children.
It was also pointed out that testing for children was low. Director Prodigals’ Home also appealed to the participants that Children’s Homes be prepared and respond to the need of these children and also shared about the need for homes to be equipped with information about HIV and other related issues. Sevehu Chuzho, DCPO highlighted on initiative for children under ICPS.

This was followed by open house discussion and interaction on various children issues and strengthening network among the children homes and an action plan was formulated i.e. to have a network of children’s homes in Dimapur so as to strengthen services/facilities for children; to conduct a programme on HIV & AIDS for proprietor/managers of children’s homes; organize consultation meeting of children’s homes of Dimapur with the government departments for better coordination among government departments and children’s homes in relation to issues concerning children.