• Funds meant for affected community withheld
• ‘Words are meaningless, act on them’
• Withheld money ails HIV programs in state
• ‘DAN III government did not even conduct any meeting’
EMN
Dimapur, February 6
After salaries, corruption, and poor policing, there is more resentment against the government of Nagaland: An organization working for the welfare of marginalized health communities in Nagaland Network of Nagaland Drugs and AIDS Organisation (NNagaDAO), has denounced the state government of Nagaland for ‘being indifference and apathy in dealing with HIV programs’ in the state.The NNagaDAO is the apex organization of nongovernmental organizations working in the field of drugs and HIV & AIDS in Nagaland. The organization issued a press release on Saturday, February 7, expressing anger for the embattled Nagaland government for failing to release funds meant for critical health intervention programs.
The NNagaDAO stated in its press release that ‘talks and showing concern is meaningless without political action.’
“The lack of political action and not releasing fund mean for HIV for several months by the state government is hampering HIV/AIDS program, which will lead to many new infections in the state and will face grave challenges with more health and financial burden in the near future,” the organization stated in frustration.
The organization said that the grants of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), government of India to the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) are ‘routing’ through the state exchequer to ensure more transparent, accountability and effective implementation of HIV/AIDS program in the state.
“However due to non-release of fund by Nagaland government is weakening HIV program and going to create a serious setback, a threat to the public health response and can undermine the gains that we have achieved in controlling new HIV transmission and HIV related death,” the NNagaDao stated.
The press release questioned the state government about why ‘lifesaving, HIV money’ is ‘kept for several months’ by the government ‘denying and weakening HIV intervention and other health programs putting our people life at risks.’
“The harm reduction commodities (HIV prevention commodities) are getting exhausted in NGOs Drop-In Centres. Therefore, NNagaDAO demand that Nagaland state government to immediately release fund laying in the state treasury for controlling new HIV transmission and HIV related death.
The organization has expressed resentment at the Nagaland State AIDS Council, which the press release called the “highest body of HIV/AIDS in the state” under the chairmanship of the chief minister himself.
The welfare organization stated: “The DAN III, Government did not conduct any meeting to take political decision and action to end the communicable diseases (HIV and Hepatitis B and C). The hopes for ending the communicable diseases depend in large measure of political leadership and action, uninterrupted resources for prevention and treatment program to all who need it.”
The NNagaDAO had demanded that the “State AIDS Council Chair/Chief minister” to convene the State AIDS Council meeting at the earliest possible, “to ensure achieving our desirable epidemic control and treatment for the state.”
The press release was issued through Abou Mere, president of the NNagaDAO.
