DISHA Phek conducts training on HIV & AIDS Act

DIMAPUR — District Integrated Strategy for HIV & AIDS (DISHA) Phek district conducted training on the HIV & AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017 for doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers on Monday at Dr. Wethselo T Mero Memorial Hall, District Hospital (DH) Phek, with Thukutalu Chizo, panel lawyer, Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA), as the resource person.

According to an update, the resource person shared that the Act was passed by Parliament in 2017 and came into force on September 10, 2018.

Chizo highlighted that the Act aims to prevent and control the spread of HIV & AIDS, protect the human rights of persons infected with or affected by HIV & AIDS, and provide for measures of care, support and treatment.

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The resource person explained especially on stigma and discrimination, rights of HIV positive patients, penalties and grievance redressal mechanisms, and prohibition of certain acts under the Act.

She also stated that as people living with HIV are at significantly higher risk of developing mental health disorders, healthcare providers need a holistic, empathetic and multidisciplinary approach towards them and emphasised the role and function of the complaint officer and ombudsman.