Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, project director Dr. Neiphi Kire revealed that prevalence rate of HIV /AIDS in the State had come down recently to less than 1 %. He said this while highlighting on the HIV/AIDS scenario during a meet on state level committee of concern on HIV/AIDS held under the chairmanship of chief secretary, Lalhuma at Kohima on October 21. The agenda of the meeting was to discuss, identify and recommend steps for strengthening multi sectoral response to HIV/AIDS.
The committee appreciated the initiatives taken by various departments in fighting the menace of HIV/AIDS in the state besides suggesting several steps that government departments could take up as part of their ongoing activities. The committee members were of the view that it would be a great step forward if few percentage of the budget of various departments could be earmarked for HIV/AIDS related activities as a policy.
According to an official release, chief secretary – chairman of the committee said district administration and police should be involved in a common fight against HIV/AIDS. “Involve as many people and agencies as you can” Lalhuma said to officials of NSACS. Reserving certain percentage of sponsorship, subsidies and loans for entrepreneurship, self employment and training under various government schemes for PLHAs would go a long way in capacitating HIV affected people, chief secretary said while pointing out that government department should formulate some action plan to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Earlier, NSCAS project director gave a power point presentation on HIV/AIDS scenario in the state and programmes under NACP III. The meeting concluded with a decision to conduct follow- up meet to strengthen multi sectoral response to HIV/AIDS in a more concrete and systematic manner.
Leave a Reply