Joining the rest of the world, 29th World AIDS Day was commemorated at Old Town Prayer Fellowship, Zunheboto on December 1 under the theme ‘Hands up for HIV prevention’, DIPR informed. Senior Medicine Specialist, District Hospital, Zunheboto, Dr. Akaho Awomi was the resource person for the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Akaho said HIV/AIDS had caused more deaths than the two successive World wars. He said two million people throughout the world were dying of HIV/AIDS every year. Dr. Akaho also said that Nagaland has the highest prevalence rate of HIV in India and approximately 300 persons were dying due to the said disease in Nagaland every year.
Exhorting the gathering not to discriminate people living with HIV/AIDS, the resource person urged the congregation to encourage and support the victims.
While lamenting that HIV/AIDS would wipe off future generations if no proper step was taken at the earliest, Dr.Akaho urged the gathering to take proactive role by creating awareness among its family members, friends and neighbors about the disease.
District program officer (DPO), DACPU, Atokali Assumi in her keynote address said, commemorating World Aids Day was to create awareness among the general populace about HIV and its consequences. She also gave a brief statistics of the present scenario of HIV/AIDS in the state and the district.
The program was chaired by Viketo while vote of thanks was proposed by Supervisor, ICTC, Hokishe Chophy. The program was organized by DAPCU, Zunheboto in collaboration with NZP+ and HIV and AIDS Facilities.
KIPHIRE: World AIDS Day was observed in Kiphire district at Sumi Baptist Church (Aizuto) Kiphire Town on December 1.
The programme was organized by DAPCU in collaboration with Red Ribbon Club and sponsored by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society under the theme “Hands up for HIV prevention.” Speaking as a chief guest, additional SP Kiphire, Rezulule said that HIV/AIDS infects a person at the peak of their productive and income generating phase which affects the society at large. She informed that HIV/AIDS has become one of the most dreaded killer diseases that bring about anxiety and depression to the individual.
While narrating a story, she stressed that everyone is vulnerable to this disease and strikes when one least expects it. She urged that one can contribute to the society by taking care of one’s lifestyle which will go a long way in HIV prevention and requested that we educate one another to work towards an HIV/AIDS free society.
In a short speech, district supervisor ICTC, T.L. Khiantsumong stated that the significance of observing the day was to “globally show our support for those people living with HIV/AIDS.”. DPO, DAPCU, Tsiatsuvi gave an insight on the district scenario and stated that approximately 40-45 individuals are tested for HIV monthly. According to the statistics given by her, during April-September 2016, 512 males and 325 females were tested for HIV out of which 17 males and 10 females tested positive.
Khupai who has been undergoing ART treatment for 6 years bravely shared her experience and urged those living with HIV to not “stigmatize oneself.” She said that once she opened up, she received love and support from her family and friends, and was not discriminated as she had feared. She spoke on the importance of support received during such times as without it, one may be affected mentally.
Solidarity message was delivered by vice principal, Zisaji Presidency College, Dr. Purna Chandra Mishra and Pastor, New Life Prayer Home Ariba who requested that spreading of awareness right from our homes should be made a common agenda and not to discriminate those infected with the virus. The programme was chaired by counsellor, ART Kiphire, Athrongba while god’s blessing was invoked by president, Pastor’s Fellowship Kiphire Town, Mughaho.
TUENSANG: Tuensang also joined the rest of the world and observed World AIDS Day under the theme ‘’Hands up for HIV prevention’’, with Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), president M.P.Nokshang as guest speaker.
Nokshang in his speech said that the day should be marked as an awareness programme to spread message against HIV&AIDS.
He also informed the church leaders and community leaders to create some awareness programme to reduce HIV&AIDS positive for the people of the District and remembering those people died of HIV/AIDS.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Hongsayimjong, invocation prayer was pronounced by KBC Tuensang associate pastor, Pusha, significance of the day was highlighted by ICTC Dapcu, Tuensag district supervisor K.Tunyuh, district scenario was presented by NETSU, PO Imsu Pongen.
Red Ribbon Club: on the occasion of World AIDS Day, Red Ribbon Club, St. John College, Dimapur organised painting cum essay competition on the theme “ Hands up for HIV prevention.” The competition started with a short programme. Asst. Professor Asenla Longkumer, in her message conveyed the darkest side of AIDS with light and awareness. The students along with the faculties pledged on the theme.
WOKHA: In Wokha, World AIDS Day was observed at DC conference hall Wokha jointly organized by DAPCU & WNP+ VIHAAN which was sponsored by NSACS with ADC Wokha Thavaseelan as chief guest. Thavaseelan in his speech said that no pandemic such as HIV & AIDS have been recorded in the history of mankind which have swept so many lives and if people do not work hand in gloves together it will wipe the future generation. Students were given priority because they were the future, he lamented. He also said that DAPCU and administration are closely coordinating together for the cause.
Theme speaker first class magistrate & secretary legal service Wokha Wonchibeni spoke on the theme “Hands up for HIV prevention” where she gave a brief over view on basic of HIV & AIDS and gave the world scenario of infected and affected. She also elaborated on the demands of the theme- more condoms, right to health, VMMC, PrEP, No violence, zero discrimination, harm reduction and HIV treatment.
DPO DAPCU Lichumoodyuo, gave presentation on the scenario of HIV & AIDS and challenges of PLHIV of Wokha district. He stated that current year recorded the highest HIV detection compared to other years. Out of 4738 tested, 33 were HIV positive (April –October 2016).
WNP+ president Apeni Lotha also shared her personal experiences.
Earlier the programme was chaired by PO NETSU Zuchamo Ovung, invocation prayer by counsellor MICTC Robin Ezung and vote of thanks by counsellor OST DH Longshio. The programme concluded with screening of documentary “Eye of the Strom”
MON: World AIDS Day was observed in Mon on the theme “Hands up for HIV prevention” jointly organized by DAPCU, DLSA, MUN and Project AXSHYA.
Judicial magistrate first class Phuleto Yeptho, Mon speaking on the rights and privileges of PLHIV said HIV positive person has every right of liberty and one should not discriminate and they should be given privileges in every field. He or she has freedom of movement, he stated.
He also said that it is restricted to put the picture of HIV person on pamphlets without the consent of the person and also restricted to publish in newspaper, social media and face book the identity of the person. HIV is not curable but could be prevented through awareness; therefore awareness programme should be organized in every place, he added. DTO Mon Dr. Tiasunep, also spoke on the prevention and care of HIV & AIDS. Earlier the programme was chaired by pastor Phelem Fellowship, invocation was pronounced by pastor Gorkha Baptist Church Mon Joshua, key note address by DPO, DAPCU Longyim Tzudir and special song was presented by Chawang.
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