Network of Nagaland Drugs and AIDS Organisation (NNagaDAO), which has decided to close down all the Drop-In Centres (DICs) in the state on May 17 and 18 to express resentment towards non release of fund, on Monday informed that the agitation could go on for a longer period of time if the demands were not met.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function here, NNagaDAO president, Abou Mere and Naga Users’ Network (NUN) coordinator Ketho Angami said that earlier funds for HIV and AIDS programme were sent directly to the HIV&AIDS control society. However, they alleged that since the last two financial years, the state government, through lobby, directed the fund to state treasury and kept in civil deposit. This, they said hampered the programme as funds were not released on time.
The duo asserted that funds for four months during 2015-16 and one month during 2016-17 were pending. For implementation of National AIDS Control Programme (NACP-IV) under TI fund during 2015-16 in Nagaland, the Central Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had released first installment of Rs. 403.89 lakh in May 2015, second installment of Rs. 177.75 Lakh in September 2015, third installment of Rs. 145.01 Lakh in January 2016 and fourth installment of Rs. 142.08 Lakh in February 2016.
Expressing difficulty in running 53 Drop in Centers (DICs) across Nagaland on credit with no salary for employees, they said the state government needed to bring long term solution, provide at least minimum standard of care and to immediately respond to the need of NNagaDAO and NGOs.