MGM College’s Red Ribbon Club held street plays across Dimapur to promote HIV prevention, testing and treatment while challenging stigma and encouraging people living with HIV to access free ART.
DIMAPUR — The Red Ribbon Club of MGM College, Dimapur, took its HIV and AIDS awareness campaign beyond the classroom on Friday, staging street plays at key junctions across the town to promote prevention, responsible behaviour and reduce stigma surrounding HIV.
The street plays, held from 10 am to 3 pm at Sub-Jail Junction, DC Court Junction, Imli Ghas Junction and Sewak Junction, sought to reach the wider public with information on HIV prevention, testing, treatment and support.
Programme Officer of the Red Ribbon Club, Fuchumo Yanthan, said the campaign carried a message of both caution and hope, particularly for people living with HIV who may avoid treatment because of stigma and fear.
“Nagaland has the second-highest estimated HIV prevalence in India, with Dimapur recording the highest in the state,” Yanthan told the public, questioning why the state and district continued to rank high on the indicator.
He urged people to stop discriminating against those living with HIV and stressed that ignorance and stigma can have serious consequences.
“When a person dies due to the stigma and weight of shame while getting treated, we the people are equally responsible for their deaths,” he said.
While HIV currently has no cure, Yanthan highlighted the availability of free treatment through the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS).
He said antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available free of cost through designated ICTC centres and encouraged people to seek testing and treatment without delay.
He also explained the significance of U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable), noting that people on effective treatment who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit HIV.
“It is not a death sentence,” Yanthan said, countering the perception that an HIV diagnosis means the end of a person’s life.
Speaking later about the campaign, Yanthan said the street play was organised in response to a directive from the Department of Health & Family Welfare and NSACS as part of the Intensified IEC Campaign 3.0.
He said street performances were chosen because conventional programmes often fail to reach those most affected by stigma.
“In hosting a programme, only the invited people attend rather than the patients or targeted audience due to shame and embarrassment. So, in order to make the awareness available to everyone, they chose to perform in the streets,” he said.
The selected junctions were chosen for their high footfall and potential to reach a diverse audience. Five locations had initially been identified, he said, but permission was not granted for a performance at City Tower.
According to Yanthan, the campaign is intended to move beyond basic awareness towards encouraging people to take action, particularly by getting tested and accessing treatment.
“People are already aware of this virus and the four rules of HIV, but more than that we want to encourage people with HIV to step forward and take the free medications given by NSACS voluntarily,” he said.
MGM College’s Red Ribbon Club has about 38 active members and around 60 members overall, including former students. Yanthan said public response to the street plays was mixed, with some people avoiding the programme because HIV remains a taboo, while others stopped to watch after seeing the campaign banner.
He urged citizens to overcome fear and stigma and get tested, while encouraging those living with HIV to seek the treatment and support available.
“Even if tested positive, it is not a death sentence, it is not the end of life,” he said.