Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 16 (EMN): The Union Health ministry had on Sep. 10 announced the implementation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) Act through an official gazette.
With Nagaland ranked third-highest HIV prevalent-state in the country, Nagaland-based NGOs working with people living with HIV and drug abuse had welcomed the Act as a ‘landmark achievement’.
Subsequently, to finalise the state-specific rules on HIV and Aids (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (Nsacs) organised a consultation programme in collaboration with Naco, FHI360 and Kripa Foundation at de Oriental Grande in Kohima on Tuesday.
The project director of Nsacs, Dr. Ngangshimeren revealed that the first case of HIV in Nagaland was detected in 1999. Since then, and till August 2018, out of a total of more than one lakh screened for blood, 23,740 tested positive for HIV. He informed that 93% of the virus spread through sexual route, 6% through parent to child, 2% through needle and syringe and 1% unknown source.
Briefly highlighting the Act, a consultant at Naco, Garima Sharma said that since the central government has formulated the rules and guidelines, every state is required to formulate their rules as per the specific issues concerning the state.
The implementation of the Act is the responsibility of the state, she asserted and added that rules have to be formulated to further facilitate the implementation of the Act.
Sharma also informed that Naco has been conducting workshop across the country for finalisation of state-specific rules, and Nagaland the 16th state to hold the consultation. Describing the Act as a ‘landmark piece’ that has come after more than a decade, she sought the support and cooperation of all stakeholders and NGOs to strengthen and coalesce for the successful implementation of the Act.
The Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Himato Zhimomi strongly emphasised on the need for deliberation on how to improve and enhance the HIV and Aids Act, 2017 into Nagaland-specific issues.
Citing some loopholes and instances where PLHIVs are deprived of their rights, Zhimomi pointed out that in spite of being home to more than twenty thousand people with HIV positive status, only about seven thousand of them were under Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). This, he said, calls for the attention of all to find out why clinical outreach is not effective and reaching the targeted populace.
Also expressing concern on the sexual route transmission of the virus, he said this is a state-specific problem that requires the Nagaland government to come out with some measures towards bringing down HIV rates for a HIV-free society in the next 10 years.
Terming ‘stigma and discrimination’ which still persists in the society as a very ‘complex issue’, Zhimomi called upon those living with HIV to stop lurking and living in the shadows.
Stating that ‘we are equal partners’, he encouraged them to come forward, seek treatment as well as claim their rights. Assuring all support towards prevention and control of HIV and Aids ,sand protecting the rights of the people living with HIV, member secretary of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority, Mezivolu Therie said all stakeholders must understand the importance of the Act and work for the implementation of the Act in the right direction.
The provisions of the Act states that no HIV test, medical treatment, or research shall be conducted on persons without their informed consent and no person shall be compelled to disclose their HIV status to obtain employment or service, except with their informed consent.
The legislation has provisions to safeguard property rights of HIV positive people, prohibits any individual from publishing information or advocating feelings of hatred against HIV positive persons and those living with them.
Besides others, the Act also seeks to prevent and control the spread of HIV and Aids; creates mechanisms to redress the complaints of persons infected with HIV and Aids.
It further states that the central government and every state government shall take all such measures to expedite prevention and spread of HIV or Aids, provide diagnostic facilities, ART and opportunistic infection management to people living with HIV or Aids; and facilitate their access to welfare schemes, especially for women and children.
