DIMAPUR — The HIV prevalence and new infections in Nagaland remain a concern, and it is hoped that ongoing efforts will harness political support for the introduction of public health oriented policies.
Abou Mere, President of NNagaDAO and Director of Kripa Foundation Nagaland, stated this in a statement.
He added that the state government should revisit and amend the Nagaland HIV/AIDS policy, as well as the Nagaland State Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Policy, in full compliance with the HIV and AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act, 2017, national guidelines, human rights standards, and norms, and provide budgetary support for policy implementation.
Mere stated that Nagaland's drug and HIV response over the last three decades has taught that communities play a critical role in catalysing change and that as the world celebrates World AIDS Day with the theme ‘Communities lead’, the power of communities should be harnessed to end HIV by 2030.
According to him, key population community leaders are aware that resources are limited and tied to very specific agendas; however, adequate funds, scaling up interventions and programmes, compliance with fundamental rights, and respect for human dignity are required for greater impetus to the HIV response, advancing progress towards the end of AIDS.