Right to Health: State observes World AIDS Day

Kohima Bureau/ Eastern Mirror Desk/ Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec 1. (EMN): Former Chief Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir has encouraged the PLHIVs to celebrate life rather than feeling guilty for been infected with the disease.
Speaking at the World AIDS Day programme at LCS building on Dec. 1, Jamir told a section of PLHIVs to be pro-active in order to make their voices heard.
“PLHIVs are being marginalised because you don’t face the challenges together. Make a louder noise with a bigger crowd, that way your voices would be heard,” Jamir said suggesting that “World AIDS Day should be observed in a bigger manner.”
The former chief secretary regarded HIV/AIDS as a disease which has sprung up because of social change and behavioural change.
“HIV/AIDS is a bi-product of social growth. This is a disease of man’s own creation. The society is at fault and not the individual. So do not feel guilty, but face the challenges together,” Jamir remarked.

“AIDS is an important subject, but the whole subject has become complacent over the years,” he said adding that dreaded disease such as this will occur more in the near future.
N-NagaDAO president Abou Mere hit out at NSACS for failing on its part by suppressing the voice of PLHIVs.
“NSACS is only serving New Delhi and not serving our people, particularly the PLHIVs,” Mere said adding “NSACS staff are paid to support and serve us, but they are suppressing the voice of the community.”
“The NGOs are not aware of what is happening in the ground level. Without consulting us, they (NGOs) are developing their own action plan,” he said mentioning that the real action plan will arrive only by sitting together. “There should be meaningful involvement of people,” he added.
“If we are to achieve zero infection, zero discrimination and AIDS related deaths, then we have to work together. It is more important to own HIV/AIDS programme, rather than owning the project,” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of Nagaland User’s Network, Ketholelie regretted that the PLHIVs, on many occasions, have been denied the basic human rights.
“I do not know why AIDS is associated with stigma and discrimination, when other diseases are not. Though a Christian state, we have failed in many areas when it comes to HIV/AIDS,” he said adding that “the right to health cannot be denied just because of his/her HIV status.”
Mentioning that the infection rate is increasing in the State, he also underlined the need for a positive response to tackle this with a planned strategy.
“How best have we strategised on AIDS response,” he said and went on mention that the remote and far flung areas still do not have a clear concept of HIV/AIDS. Lamenting that the resources for AIDS are draining, he called for the urgent need to let the state perform.
Lanu spoke on behalf of NNP+, while Moasungla shared her experiences on behalf of KNP+.
AIDS walk
Joining with the rest of the world, the Nagaland State Aids Control Society (NSACS) observed the World AIDS Day by organising a ‘Walkathon’ under the theme ‘Right to Health: My health My right’.
The walkathon was flagged off by commissioner & secretary of Health and Family Welfare, R Ramakrishnan, at Old MLA Hostel junction, which culminated at High School junction, Peraciezie, Kohima.
Some of the placards read: ‘Prevention better than cure. Especially when something has no cure’, ‘Zero: Ignorance, Risks. New cases. Deaths’ and ‘Life now. Yes life. No HIV’ etc.
During the flagged off programme, Ramakrishnan expressed concern that Nagaland AIDS ratio is higher than the national ratio, which can be controlled through the joint efforts of the community by spreading awareness.
He also emphasised on the need for a behavioural and attitudinal change of the people in controlling and the spread of AIDS.
Highlighting the significance of the day, project director NSACS, Dr. Nangshimeren said the primary objective is to create awareness to fight against HIV/AIDS and to show solidarity to those who lost their lives. He also urged the people to get rid of the ‘prejudice, stigma and all forms of discrimination’ against those living with HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Nangshimeren also informed that as per the data from WHO 1 million people have lost their lives through HIV/AIDS while 1.8 million are infected through HIV in the last year.
The walkathon saw the participation of people from various sections of people including Red Ribbon club from school and colleges, Assam Rifle, churches, project 72, Vihaan and NNP+.
Dimapur PLHIV faces shortage of ART medicines
Dimapur: “Even with the obvious position of HIV cases in the district, Dimapur PLHIV continues to face challenges of shortage of ART medicines, provision for opportunistic infection medicines, viral load machine and the malfunction of CD4 machine.” This concern was shared by PLHIV Awala on behalf of the community on the occasion of World AIDS Day. She also appealed to the concerned with authority to look into the challenges faced by them so that they receive treatment regularly.
The day was observed under the theme “Right to Health-My Health, My Right,” organised by District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) in collaboration with TI NGOs and Rotary Club Dimapur.
Dimapur district continues to record the highest HIV positive cases in the state with 8514 people living with HIV and 524 tested positive in a short span of six months (April-Sept 2017). This statistic was presented by Medical Officer, ART plus centre Dimapur Dr. Mulusen Jamir on the occasion of World AIDS Day observed in Dimapur at Christian Higher Secondary School Dimapur on Friday.
Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur Dr. K. Vikato Kinimi, the guest speaker reminded the gathering that the day is being observed because of human carelessness. He therefore called on the gathering to prepare for the future by being responsible.
“We are still careless with the continuous alarming figure. But we do not have to be scared but be responsible”, conveyed the CMO.
Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo women ministry conveying their commitment and solidarity asserted that the churches have to face challenges and this will be determined by the response to help and reach out. DABA is committed in the fight against HIV by sponsoring missionary counsellor, said the church ministry.
Also Rotary Club affirmed that the club will do anything in their limits to control the menace in Dimapur district.
Mokokchung: The People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in Mokokchung observed the World AIDS Day on the theme “Right to Health-My Health, My Right,” at NMP+ office on Friday. The programme was organised by DAPCU, NMP+, ARTC, CCC, C&SS, Guardian Angel and MUN.
Speaking at the programme, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Mokokchung, Dr. Kepang informed that between April-October this year 8378 people were tested for HIV of out which 79 persons were reported to be positive. The figures show approximately 11 positive cases are been detected per month in Mokokchung district’s population of 1, 33,000 people, he added.
Pointing out that HIV/AIDS has become a pandemic outbreak in the district, Dr. Kepang stressed on the need to raise funds and spread intensive awareness to the people to fight against prejudice, discrimination and stigma against PLHA in the society.
Pastor of Tzusapang Baptist Church, W Supong in his short sermon said “for many HIV might be a curse but we should realise that God has chosen them to be a part of his eternal plan, therefore, they should not be disheartened but walk in his righteousness and fulfil his eternal plan.”
Phek: The DAPCU Phek along with PNP+ and Eureka Life Foundation (ELF) observed World AIDS Day at Phek Town Council Hall with the participation of DAPCU staff, OST, FI-ART, ELF, PNP+, CMO staff, teachers and students from Royal Foundation School, Phek, Red Ribbon Club from Phek Government College, public and church leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner Shanavas urged the gathering to remember and show care and support to PLHIV throughout the year. He resented that stigma and discrimination still persisted in the society, which reduce the quality of personal life. Citing upon the unconditional love of God, he also urged the gathering to be Christ-like.
He has termed the administration, church and public leaders, and teachers as key agents who could bring change to the society. He also urged the students to spread the truth about HIV/AIDS. He believed that knowing the real truth about HIV/AIDS would reduce stigma and discrimination. All stakeholders were also urged to unite in fighting against HIV epidemics.
President PNP+ Mese Letro, shared his life experiences as a PLHIV. He asked the gathering to extend care and support to all PLHIVs and also to consider PLHIV a friend and live in harmony.
DIS DAPCU Phek Hierhotho Kajiri, who shared on the significance of the day, stressed that simply observing the day would be incomplete without bringing any positive change in the society. He added that detection rate in the district has reduced as compared to previous years.
Mon: Mon district observed the World AIDs Day at District Hospital, Mon, on the theme ‘Right to health’ on December 1.
Stating that Nagaland ranked fourth in HIV/AIDS infection rate in the country, special guest, Deputy Commissioner, Mon Thavaseelan K said it should be the responsibility of every individual to take care and help the HIV/AIDS patients in the state and district in particular. He said the only possible way to check and control HIV/AIDS is awareness and prevention. He added that treatments are available to increase life span of the patients.
Miss Mon 2016 and District Icon Lemei K spoke on the topic ‘I Care.’ She encouraged the gathering to show love and respect to those affected with the virus. She also encouraged letting those patients find hope and aspiration from our conducts.
District & Session Judge, Mon Neiko Kanou said deprivation of proper medical treatment would amount to deprivation of legal rights under the constitution of India. He said every individual has the rights to equality and right to enjoy the beauty of this world. Stating that HIV/AIDS would destroy everyone, he urged the gathering to spread the awareness.
Dr. Ngampa also spoke on HIV prevention and care, while Longyim Tsudir, DPO, DAPCU, delivered the keynote address.
Tuensang: Tuensang district observed the 30th International World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 under the theme “Right to Health’’ at GHSS Auditorium Tuensang.
The programme was organized by District AIDs Prevention & Control Unit (DAPCU) and DLN Tuensang.
A short speech was delivered by Dy. CMO Dr.Temsu Longchar and district scenario was presented by DIS DAPCU K Tunyuh.
Positive voice was shared by Apila Sangtam and a special prayer for PLHIV’s was pronounced by Abemo T Humtsoe, Pastor Lotha Baptist Church while vote of thanks was delivered by Programme Coordinator VIHAAN Chollen.
BTC: The Red Ribbon club of Baptist Theological College Pfutsero in collaboration with Lightway Society, Pfutsero, organised a seminar on HIV & AIDS in commemoration of the World AIDS Day on Friday.
Resource person, Program Co-ordinator, North East Network, Chizami, Kozou Lasuh informed and enlightened on the alarming facts of the epidemic and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.
Poster competition was also organised on the theme ‘Stigma on HIV & AIDS.”