Dimapur, Oct. 28 (EMN): In the backdrop of the state government’s decision to discontinue the Nagaland Legislative Forum on AIDS (NLFA), Kripa Foundation has sought an urgent action with political leadership to accelerate and scale up the response against HIV and other health issues.
A Kripa Foundation statement issued by its director Abou Mere reminded that Nagaland has a higher rate of HIV, substance use and abuse, viral hepatitis, cancer, mental health and sexual reproductive health problems than the national average.
To substantiate his claimed, Mere cited a scientific study which shows that only 16% of the youth have comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS and 37% of sexually active youth engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour (NFHS-IV). Also referring to the HIV sentinel surveillance 2019 among pregnant women, he stated that HIV estimations 2019 shows that adult HIV prevalence was seven times that of the national average, while HIV incidence was 16 times than that of national average.
Mentioning that the number of new HIV infections is increasing in Nagaland, he said ‘the elected legislators with political leadership is crucial to take forward health (HIV) policies for ensuring the welfare of its citizens and also take measures for realisation of the right to health of its citizens’.
“Achieving Naga political solution and bringing development into our state shall be meaningless, if our people succumb due to various health concerns and complications, which is preventable, manageable or treatable,” Mere said.
In view of the present scenario, Mere has called upon the chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, and all the elected legislators to continue NLFA’s significant work in response to HIV and also expand its scope of work with new able staff to facilitate in health sector to uphold the welfare of its people.