‘Nagaland govt keeping HIV funds in bank deposits for months’

EMN Dimapur, December 10 • HIV/AIDS advocacy lashes out at Nagaland government • Calls present government ‘repressive’ • ‘Govt’s apathy fueling HIV and hepatitis-B, C’ Organizations working in the field of HIV & AIDS have expressed resentment at the “repressive” government of Nagaland for yet again keeping funds–meant for critical health intervention–in bank deposits while implementation programs and patients alike suffer. The significance behind why the Nagaland government keeps funds away in civil deposits in the bank for long durations is not lost on citizens as indicated by a press release issued to the media by a health advocacy organization on Thursday, December 10. Kripa Foundation of Nagaland, an organization that has been working in the field of HIV & AIDS and substance abuse has asked the state government to respect the human rights of people especially those from the affected community. The demand comes in the backdrop of International Human Rights Day, observed on December 10 annually. The organization minced no words as it called the government of Nagaland “a repressive state government” that has “inevitably driven rampant human rights abuses against its citizens, these include denied access to appropriate health care services, denied employment, denied staffs salary on time, denied equality (favoritism and VIP culture) producing such gross rights violations.” Kripa Foundation stated in one good length: “Today, on this 50th International Human Rights Day dated 10 December 2015, Kripa Foundation Nagaland demand respect of ‘human right’ from the government of Nagaland and also call upon the human rights defenders, Naga civil societies, journalist and advocates to join with health activists to ensure that state government respect human right and fulfill its obligation of ‘Right to Health,’ and provide a good health services, accessible and affordable without any discrimination, recognizing that human rights are fundamental to human and nation development.” The Constitution of India guarantees Protection of life and liberty (Health, Autonomy, Privacy, Dignity) (Article 21), Equality before law (Article 14), Non- discrimination (Article 14 &15), the press release reminded the state government of Nagaland. However, the organization stated, we have a “repressive” state government that has “inevitably driven rampant human rights abuses against its citizens, these include denied access to appropriate health care services, denied employment, denied staffs salary on time, denied equality (favoritism and VIP culture) producing such gross rights violations.” Kripa Foundation blamed the state government’s lackadaisical attitude of contributing to the growth of HIV and Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Nagaland. “State government lackadaisical attitude on the right to health, with an inadequate health services in the state is going to directly fuel the twin epidemics of HIV and hepatitis (B and C) to our community, this will be a serious and unfortunate consequences,” the nongovernmental organization stated. “Instead of investing in effective prevention and treatment programmes to achieve the required coverage, governments continue to ignore and violate right to health, by not providing essentials medicine in government hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and also non-release or delayed in releasing of funds meant for health services, especially HIV program.” The organization lamented another common refrain among the public of Nagaland – the government’s habit of letting funds stay in the banks for months. “The life saving money is kept in Civil Deposit for months, denying and weakening HIV intervention and other health programs, thereby putting our people life at risks. This is a clear gross violation to the ‘right to life’ and this systemically driven human rights abuses must be brought to an end, before HIV, Hepatitis, Cancer and other diseases end our next generation,” the press release stated. The organization has said that it is the duty of the state government to protect the rights of its citizens and individuals. It is the government’s duty to ensure that human rights are upheld properly, Kripa Foundation stated. “Therefore, we demand respect and fulfillment of our fundamental rights to the highest attainable standard in the state.” Director of Kripa Foundation Abou Mere appended the press release.