Dimapur, March 19 (EMN): The Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) expresses happiness for a training module about HIV and AIDS control for law enforcement agencies and faith-based organisations.
The NSACS issued a note on Monday.
“At the outset I would like to congratulate the FHI360-Project Sunrise for bringing out this training module for law enforcement agencies. We are all aware that the problem of HIV and AIDS cannot be addressed by one single agency or entity,” the NSACS stated.
‘Therefore, it is much appreciated that with the support and cooperation of the DGP and his officials from the police headquarters Kohima and the Prisons department, Nagaland, the module has been developed to be used as part of a training curriculum in the two police training academy in the state.’
According to the organisation, a training module for law enforcement agencies had been a long-felt need in the state. And it is to be highly appreciated that the police headquarters Kohima took up a proactive role in bringing out the module led by the medical consultant at the Police headquarters and the IGP (training).
“The FHI360-Project Sunrise came at the right time to facilitate the development of the module in partnership with Kripa Foundation Nagaland.
‘By committing to incorporate the module in the regular training curricula of the two police training academy in the state, it is anticipated that the module will go a long way in developing the skills of the forefront law keepers in addressing the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the state with a humane approach,’ the NSACS stated.
“A lot of support and inputs were provided by the project director and officials at Nagaland State AIDS Control Society in making the module meaningful. I once again congratulate the leadership provided by the DGP and his officials at PHQ Kohima, and wish them all success in taking this initiative forward.”
Further, the society remarked that Nagaland, unlike most other states in India, is a Christian-dominated state and the church plays a very critical role in the day to day lives of the people.
“Many churches are concerned and has been supporting and contributing towards the issues around HIV and AIDS. The module has thus been developed to be used by the FBOs (faith-based organisations) in their regular church outreach and youth ministry,” the NSACS stated. It has expressed hope that the module would be a ‘beneficial reference in disseminating information related to HIV and AIDS and help each one of us in addressing stigma and discrimination.’
No other platform in the state is as extensively established as the church platform, the organisation stated.
“It is much appreciated that many churches have initiated various efforts in addressing the HIV and AIDS epidemic locally. The module on HIV and AIDS for Faith Based Organization has been developed to be used as a reference by the churches in their response to HIV and AIDS. The leadership provided by the leaders of the Faith Based Organisations in the state, the technical assistance provided by FHI360-Project Sunrise, the technical inputs given by the project director and officials at Nagaland State AIDS Control Society and the compilation facilitated by the consultant along with Kripa Foundation, Nagaland had enabled the timely completion of the module,” it stated.
“We hope and look forward, that the module will greatly benefit the churches in addressing the HIV and AIDS related concerns in the state,” the NSACS added.
The agency thanked the FHI360-Project Sunrise, Kripa Foundation and consultant Dr.Vinito Chishi, coordinator of the Legislators Forum for AIDS for the initiative.
