A sensitization programme on HIV & AIDS and drugs abuse held in Jakhama
DIPR
Dimapur, November 3
Advocacy-cum-sensitization programme on HIV & AIDS and drugs abuse with the stakeholders of Southern Angami area was held at Jakhama town hall on November 1 with Parliamentary Secretary, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Chairman, Treasury & Accounts, Vikho-o Yhoshü as guest of honour. Yhoshü in his speech said that HIV & AIDS is not curable but it is preventable and treatment could be done if proper steps are adopted. He also thanked the organizations including Kripa, Nagaland User Network, Nagaland Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) for their selfless sacrifices and services as such their good work are bearing fruits today.
He also called upon the participants to eradicate stigma and help the people to overcome eradication. He also challenged the people not to neglect the disease or patients but to show concern and help them access the facilities available so that they could live a normal life like others. He further said that today Nagaland has 1 out of 136 persons affected with HIV & AIDS and one has to be very alert in our society. He called on the participants to spread the message on what they learned in today’s programme to their respective villages.
Advisor, Kripa Foundation Nagaland, Dr. Joyce spoke on the topic ‘Cause and prevention of HIV & AIDS and Drug Abuse’. She said that HIV & AIDS has been into Nagaland for more than 20 years and most people were aware of that but details of it are never clear. She also said that HIV & AIDS could be spread through unprotected sex with an infected person, infected blood transmission, infected needles/syringe, mother to infant transmission etc. In her speech, she also stated that HIV & AIDS is not transmitted through handshake, hugging or kissing, sharing utensils, eating together, sharing toilets, coughing sneezing or spitting, mosquito bites etc. HIV & AIDS could be detected only through blood test, the production of antibiotics against HIV is 6-12 weeks as window period.
Assistant Pastor Jakhama Town Baptist Church, Vikholie Yiese chaired the programme while T.N. Vikiele Richa invoked God’s blessing. Welcome address was given by Keduvito Kirha, exhortation speech by State Consultation legislative forum on AIDS (LFA), Dr. Vinito L. Chishi, Director, Kripa foundation Nagaland, Abou Mere spoke on Hepatitis C, President Jakhama town youth society, Nozosal Zhotso, Program manager NUN, Asudi gave a short speech followed by light refreshment.
