Dimapur, Aug. 22 (EMN): An awareness programme on HIV/AIDS, promotion of HIV/AIDS testing, prevention and treatment-cum-community based screening on HIV/AIDS, syphilis, hepatitis C, blood grouping and diabetics was held at N Longidang village, Wokha, on August 21.
The programme was organised by Nagaland Users’ Network TI & NUN LWS Wokha in collaboration with DAPCU Wokha, HSCMC N Longidang, SC N Longidang and AYUSH HWC N Longidang and supported by Nagaland Health Project and Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), an update informed.
Speaking on the occasion, Lichumo Odyuo, DPO, DAPCU Wokha, stated that stigma and discrimination are the major challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS, which are in negative labeling, separation of personal belongings, avoidance, loss of status and social rejection within the families and communities, which limits an individual’s willingness to disclose their HIV status and seek health care.
He also said that according to HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Act, 2017, discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) could also lead to imprisonment. Odyuo urged the community to do away with social stigma and discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients,
While sharing on the four routes of transmission, he also mentioned that even without medication, it may take years before HIV weakens the immune system.
“Currently there's no cure for HIV/AIDS, but through proper medications one can control the infection and prevent progression of the disease. The antiretroviral therapy drugs suppress the virus to undetectable levels in the blood,” the DPO said.
Odyuo added that the treatment can slow down the progression of the disease to a point at where an infected individual can live a long, healthy and normal life.
He urged the community to come forward for HIV testing and to know their status and to start early treatment.
Further, Odyuo shared the HIV/AIDS scenario of Nagaland. During the community based screening and testing at N Longidang village, 65 RBF, 61 blood grouping, 72 HIV (all non reactive) and 72 syphilis cases were tested, it added.