EMN
Dimapur, February 10
The State government has asked the Department of Health & Family Welfare to give priority to proposals and funds for implementation of HIV & AIDS control programmes in the State.
Secretary to the Govt. of Nagaland, Y.Kikheto Sema, IAS, in a letter to Principal Director Health & Family Welfare Nagaland has asked to submit the proposal to the Finance Department without further delay to process for the release of funds.
“The funds which were earlier received from the GoI have already been released to the department. Now, we are in receipt of some funds on 6th February 2016 and 10th February 2016 (today) from the GoI, however, the proposal for the same has not been received from the Department,” the letter said.
“There has been hue and cry in the local dailies by the Network of Nagaland Drugs and AIDS Organization (NNagaDAO) for non-payment/release of funds for the implementation of HIV/AIDS Control programmes in the State. The NNagaDAO has decided to hold a peaceful rally in all district headquarters on February 15 and submit a representation to the Chief Minister through the respective district Deputy Commissioners,” the letter informed.
Meanwhile, NNagaDAO Executive Board and Advisers has resolved to close all the HIV targeted Intervention Drop-In Centres on February 15 and 16 across the State. The board in an emergency meeting held in Regional Resource and Training Centre (Kripa Foundation) Training Hall, Kohima decided to hold a peaceful protest really in all the district head quarters on February 15 and give a representation to Chief Minister TR Zeliang who also holds charge of finance through respective district deputy commissioners.
NNagaDAO President Abou Mere in a press note said, the protest is to express resentment towards the government for not releasing HIV program grants for several months and to demand immediate release of the same.
“The NGOs and their staffs cannot continue function on beg and borrow (Credit and loans) from the well-wishers. The staffs are taken loan with interest to take care of their children school fees, house rent, grocery and other essential needs. The NGOs brought the HIV prevention commodities on credits or took loan and purchase it, to continue providing services to its target groups. The HIV prevention commodities are running out of stock and without HIV prevention commodities, it has no meaning in opening the Drop-In centres.”
The NNagaDAO requested all partner NGOs and CBOs to contact NNagaDAO office bears or respective district representatives for more information and further requested all the beneficiaries, district administrations, civil societies, FBOs and well wishers to cooperate with the NNagaDAO peaceful protest.
