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Kohima Press Club members along with the inmates of Kripa Foundation Centre, Kohima on the occasion of Republic Day.[/caption]
Kohima, Jan.26: Members of the Kohima Press Club (KPC) visited the Kripa Foundation Centre Kohima on the occasion of the 68th Republic Day on Thursday.
Kripa Foundation director, Abou Mere shared a brief history of Kripa Foundation which was established in 1981 to cater rehabilitation services to alcoholics and substance abusers. He said the foundation was started in Nagaland in 1990, at a time when there was an alarming rise in the number of injecting drug users (IDUs) in the state, and also how it became a refuge for IDUs and alcoholics through treatment, care and counselling and awareness.
Mere said the centre is now identified as a regional rehabilitation centre and caters to patients from Nagaland, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
Sharing some points of concern, he mentioned the need for the state to bring the Universal Health Insurance scheme which is routed through the Ministry of Health. He said this scheme was being availed by the citizens of neighbouring states but is yet to be introduced in Nagaland.
Mere acknowledged the role of the press and media, particularly the members of Kohima Press Club in raising and highlighting social and health issues in the media. He appealed to the press fraternity to continue their noble services.
KPC president, Xavier Rutsa delivered a brief speech on the occasion and explained the reason behind the good-will visitation.
Two Kripa clients shared their struggles with alcohol and addiction and their journey to recovery. They sent out the message that addiction is a disease and those who suffer from it are not hopeless, but that they are helpless. They also shared how the facility is helping them.
Bange Konyak, a counsellor at the institution proposed vote of thanks and expressed appreciation to KPC for visiting the facility and encouraging the patients by interacting with them. Most people tend to avoid addicts and alcoholics, but we are grateful you made the time to visit us,” he added.
Kripa centre currently houses 29 patients. The KPC donated some essential items to the facility on the occasion. Altogether, 15 members of the club participated in the visitation.