Tuensang district which used to be one of the districts with high HIV+ prevalence rate in Nagaland has now considerably reduced the rate owing to active efforts and participation of Baptist churches across the district in programs launched by NACO/NSACS, Kohima.
The prorammes has been effectively implemented by local NGOs of the district to bring down the prevalence rate. According to social activist N. James Chang, the response of the churches in Tuensang had gained momentum from the year 2004 and their contributions including financial support to the programs has been well appreciated by people even outside Nagaland. This has prompted churches in the other district to replicate the same model of implementation.
Over the years all departments, government agencies and local bodies of the district have been swiftly responding to the issue and their participation have contributed to the current progress.
N. James Chang said mobile ICTC Tuensang equipped with HIV test facilities, provided by NSACS to the district continued to provide the highest number of HIV test facility amongst 8 such ICTCs in the district – District Hospital 2 ICTC, Shamator ICTC, Noklak ICTC, Thonoknyu ICTC, Longkhim ICTC and Chare ICTC.
Prevention of HIV transmission:
N. James Chang said that with health delivery system in the district “almost defunct except for the only district headquarters hospital”, the NGOs had to squeeze in even facilities beyond specification of the unit. From November 2007 to February 2014, mobile ICTC Tuensang has provided Nevirapine to 85 mothers and 83 babies (the only medicine available for prevention of HIV from mother to child).
From November 2007 to February 2014, mobile ICTC Tuensang have dispatched 58 blood samples of child born to HIV positive mothers to recognized laboratory (screening for HIV in children), out of it only 2 child have been confirmed HIV+, the remaining 56 children have not acquired HIV from mother.
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