KOHIMA, JUNE 2: Chief Minister TR Zeliang on Tuesday inaugurated a ‘Short-Stay Home’ for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) at Cradle Ridge, Seithogei, a Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) run HIV Hospice in Kohima.
The building was constructed under the initiation of the NMA as part of the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO), a government-owned corporation’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) channelized by the State Health & Family Welfare Department.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister acknowledged the efforts of the NMA towards the welfare of PLHIV and setting up Cradle Ridge, the first hospice for PLHIV in Nagaland in 2001, which is now followed by the establishment of a new short-stay home. He is optimistic that the Home will cater to the needs of the people coming from outside the state capital for treatment.
Maintaining that HIV and AIDS can happen to anyone through circumstances beyond one’s control, Zeliang called for collective efforts towards removal of stigma associated with HIV and AIDS.
“We must spread the awareness that people affected by HIV/AIDS are not necessarily people who lived a careless or promiscuous life-style,” he said, and further reminded that a society that keeps HIV patients within the community and family groups will enable them to have a better quality life.
Meanwhile, acknowledging the HUDCO for providing fund estimated at Rs.75 lakh towards the construction of the home, the chief minister expressed hope that other corporate houses in the state would also take up similar socially beneficial projects meant for the upliftment of the downtrodden, and people from lower economic brackets of the society.
Network of Naga People Living with HIV/AIDS (NNP+) president, Lanu acknowledged the NMA for their years of hard work, determination and contributions towards the welfare of the PLHIV. “At a time when the society was stigmatizing and discriminating the PLHIV, the NMA became the voice of PLHIV by setting up a hospice here through which many PLHIV received not only medical assistance but love, care, support and motivation to look forward to life,” he stated.
He also recalled that it was through the NMA’s mentoring support that the NNP+ was formed in 2002 from Cradle Ridge itself. He stated that due to confidentiality issues and self-stigma, many PLHIV do not want to put up with their relatives during the course of their treatment, but accommodation for patients coming for treatment from remote places was a concern particularly for those who do not have relatives in Kohima. Lanu expressed hope that the short-stay home will become an oasis for the PLHIV in need and also minimise their financial burden during the course of their treatment.
NMA president, Abei-ü Meru informed that presently, Cradle Ridge is home to seven AIDS orphans. She said the children are doing well and are pursuing their studies in different classes with one in college and the rest in Classes 10 and below.
HUDCO Regional Chief, LM Yanthan said the programmes initiated by HUDCO under CSR till date were successfully completed and implemented in the state, and termed it a great motivating factor for the corporation to sanction more in the days to come. He also urged that state government to fully utilise HUDCO in its endeavour to give affordable homes to its citizens. To accelerate the effort, he suggested that the government urgently activate the already constituted Nagaland State Housing Board.
The newly constructed short-stay home building was opened by Union Baptist Church Kohima pastor, Rev. Dr. Rachülie Vihienuo with a dedicatory prayer.
