Paucity of fund may help spreading HIV/AIDS: NUN

Taking serious note of non-release of fund to NGOs working for harm reduction programmes for HIV and AIDS prevention, Nagaland Users’ Network (NUN) said paucity of fund has forced them to stop all services to injection drug users (IDUs) under National AIDS Control Programme (NACP).
In a press release, NUN coordinator Ketho Angami said they have no other option but to stop some important services like counselling, referrals, abscess management, OST, and NSEP which play a very crucial role in the life of an IDU. NUN described the ongoing financial crisis as a “lack of political will” and questioned the state government for its commitment on prevention of HIV and AIDS in the state.
Appreciating the role of various NGOs working in this field, NUN said over the years, the prevalence rate of HIV among IDUs has significantly gone down due to effective implementation of Harm Reduction service by these NGOs.
Definitely, the fund crisis will let loose the number of people infected with AIDS virus where our fight against this epidemic will be defeated, NUN further said.
While understanding the new financial policy and with the World AIDS Day fast approaching on December 1, NUN has urged the government to fast track the file process and release the fund to NSACS, lest the day’s observance see the display of black ribbons instead of the Universal Red Ribbon symbol.
NUN has also called for a long term solution to end this imbroglio so that the state does not continue to struggle every quarter due to such financial crisis.