Dimapur, July 11 (EMN): An advocacy programme on HIV & AIDS for local Church leaders was organised by WSBAK, under the sponsorship of Legislators Forum on AIDS (LFA) and Nagaland Development Outreach, on May 31 at WSBAK, Akuvuto Mission Centre the head quarter of Western Sumi Church workers.
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Staffs of WSBAK, pastors, women, youth and children associate pastors at the advocacy programme.[/caption]
The Resource persons Dr. Hotoka Hesso, Senior Medical Officer ART Centre from District Hospital Dimapur spoke on HIV/AIDS updates & awareness, stigma & discrimination and prospects & challenges for church ministry while N. Suhuto Chishi, Youth Promoter of Department of Youth Ministry, WSBAK, spoke on HIV/AIDS visa-vis leprosy (Biblical & Theological Perspective) and ministry towards People Living with AIDS.
In the group discussion and interaction video clippings on true stories of surviving PLHIVs were screened and some case studies were also shared for participants to gain more insights and also to analyse the social condition of people that are affected.
During the programme, the house resolved that Ministry to People with Disability shall be initiated for equal rights and privileges, to eradicate and advocate on ill treatment to HIV & AIDS in all the church platforms and to put emphasis and strengthen the holistic ministry of the church.
Staffs of WSBAK, pastors, women, youth and children associate pastors attended the programme.
NDO office in a press release stated that as the world is advancing from revolutionising through technology and other human aided things, we are experiencing different health crisis which is posing as a threat to the normal existence of the human being. Among several issues HIV & AIDS has become synonymous globally where all the communities are making an effort in their own capacity to address and contain the issue. To this end the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) through its development department the Nagaland Development Outreach (NDO) in partnership with Legislator’s Forum on AIDS (LFA) has been taking the initiative in spreading the message through conducting advocacy and awareness programs targeting the churches to equip its leaders so that the message will boil down to the grass root level.
