Panchayats, community leaders, village councils, GBs, district administration along with the NSACS, LFA on Friday unanimously resolved to start HIV/ AIDS awareness campaigns in their respective wards under Kohima district. Realizing the urgency to tackle HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nagaland, the community leaders were given their bounden duty to educate and create awareness to the common people. This was resolved during a one day advocacy workshop on ‘Role of Panchayats and community response towards HIV/AIDS’ at Zonal Hall organized by the Legislators’ Forum of AIDS and Kuknalim Foundation.
Speaking at the workshop, Patron of LFA, Kiyaneilie Peseyie, Speaker NLA, called upon all the community leaders to come forward to tackle the problem of HIV/AIDS in the state, and not shy away from it. As leaders, he said that all the members present at the workshop had a duty towards building a healthy and prosperous Kohima town.
Chairman Nagaland Khadi and Village Industries Board (NKVIB), Dr. Nicky Kire, said that everyone had a role to play in combating HIV/AIDS. He said that it was a wrong notion to depend solely on the medical department. He stated that the councils should act as a link worker to help and guide victims. He further asserted that women and the youth should not be suppressed but be recognized in the councils. Calling upon all community leaders, Dr. Kire said “let us all do our part from today and check HIV/AIDS from Nagaland as we are trying to check illegal migrants from coming to Nagaland.”
Speaking on ‘community involvement and ownership’, consultant HIV/AIDS Dr. Viu Meru stated that prevention, care and support, and advocacy were important factors of dealing with HIV/AIDS. He said that community leaders should bear the responsibility to educate the whole masses from the lowest level. Urging the leaders to carry their responsibility dutifully, he said “if some have fallen, it is a collective failure”. He also asked the m to accept the sufferer, ensure treatment and hospital delivery, and stop discrimination. Dr. Viu further said that the community leaders should encourage those under treatment to complete it, and also those involved in the work.
Giving a report on the scenario of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland and facilities available for patients, joint director, NSACS Dr. Limaakum Jamir said that the prevalence rate of HIV in the state was 1.27%, while AIDS cases till September 2008 was a total of 2537. He also added that AIDS related death rate was 437 as per the census. Dr. Jamir said that victims could avail services in any of the districts.
There are 56 Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres (ICTC) in all the eleven districts, and five mobile ICTCs in Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Mon and Tuensang. Other facilities available for prevention of HIV/AIDS and for patients include intensive TB-HIV package, STD clinics, free distribution of condoms, blood safety, Community Care Centres, etc.
AIDS scenario in Nagaland
KOHIMA: AIDS scenario in Nagaland has beefed up to a total of 2537, which include 1424 male and 1113 female; while the HIV prevalence rate is 1.27%, as per September 2008 census on HIV/AIDS.
A report presented by joint director, NSACS Dr. Limaakum Jamir showed that the total AIDS related death is 437, with 391 among adults and 46 among children. ICTC report since November 1999 showed 6990 HIV positive patients out of total 191171 people’s blood screened.
A total of 907 People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) are under the use of Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).
A figurative report from Naga Hospital Authority of Kohima (NHAK) showed that there are 302 HIV positive people out of 6153 people tested in Kohima from January 2007- July 2008. Dr. Jamir said that most effected group of the society was from age 25-34 followed by age 34-49, with sexual route constituting to be the highest route of HIV transmission at 91%, Intravenous Drug Users (IVDU) at 0.66%, and Parent to Child Transmission 8.28%.
A report of ICTC NHAK from 2007-2008 showed that the occupation status of HIV positive cases is led by the housewife with 35.43%, the unemployed-28.47%, employed-18.21%, students-10.59%, farmers-3.64%, and business people-3.64%.
Meanwhile, the education status show that under matriculate students have the highest HIV positive cases totaling to 51.32%, followed by matriculate students with18.87%, illiterate-16.88%, college students-10.59% and Post Graduate students- 2.31%.
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