Nagaland’s first HIV-1 Viral Load Lab at NHAK

The state’s first HIV-1 Viral Load Laboratory was launched at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) by commissioner & secretary H&FW and NSACS chairman, Y Kikheto Sema on Monday.
Speaking at the launching programme, Y Kikheto Sema said the launching of the first HIV-1 Viral Load Lab at NIMSR Teaching Hospital (NHAK) was a significant milestone in the state in ensuring better treatment and care for the People Living with HIV (PLHIV) community.
He said India was a signatory to UN SDG and committed to end AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
Kikheto said Nagaland has approximately 12,290 PLHIV, who were on treatment and many were unreached and untested. Nagaland being the second highest HIV positive prevalence state in the country and highest Antenatal Care in India, he said it was a huge challenge.
Kikheto mentioned that it was mandatory to undergo viral load testing at least once a year for those who were on treatment. If the viral load does not come down it indicates that the person is not responding to the drug and therefore would need another line of treatment, he added.
In order to address these challenges, he said it was the desire of the state to have its viral load testing machine as earlier blood samples were sent outside the State like Mumbai, RIMS Imphal.
He also highlighted the challenges faced by the state in transporting blood samples outside the state during the pandemic. He said that with present law and order situation in Manipur, the Viral Load samples could not be sent to RIMS, Imphal for the last two months.
“We had realised more than ever the urgency and the need for the State to have HIV- 1 Viral Load Testing Lab and today I am pleased to declare that Nagaland has its first Lab at NIMSR Teaching Hos-pital (NHAK) which will strengthen the public health system in our State, especially for the PLHIV community,” he stated.
Kikheto, informed that the Lab, which would be opened only on working days, would be able to handle all the Viral Load Testing for the entire State under the guidance of Dr Margaret Yhome and her team.
He congratulated the project director Dr Akuo Sorhie and officials of NSACS for taking neces-sary measures and NACO for providing the viral load machine for the State.
In her keynote address, director (M&E) Dr. Akuo Sorhie, acknowledged NACO and said it was another breakthrough and a proud moment for Nagaland to have its own VL testing Lab.
H&FW principal director, Dr. Vibeituonuo M Sachu, said that with the launching of the laborato-ry, the hassle faced by the patients would be solved and addressed. She, therefore, requested the handlers of the laboratory to take proper care and make maximum use of the machine.
NNP+ president, Lanu Aier said that it was a dream come through that the laboratory has been set up the state, which was the demand of the community for more than two decades.
LaQSH Plus Project, SHARE INDIA, team leader, Lokesh said it was a landmark occasion and would change the treatment of HIV.
Earlier, the launching programme was chaired by Dr Vethihulu Vero, DD, CST, NSACS; Adeno Kenna-o, deputy director, Lab Services, NSACS, gave concluding remarks. Vikepu Tepa, chap-lain NHAK said the dedicatory prayer.