Nagaland will deploy five Health on Bike units to expand HIV and STI prevention, testing and awareness across 17 districts.
DIMAPUR — Nagaland is set to intensify HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) awareness and prevention efforts across all 17 districts, with five new “Health on Bike” outreach motorbikes to be deployed in ‘hard-to-reach’ areas as part of a two-month state-wide campaign.
The Intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign 3.0, organised by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) under the aegis of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), will be launched on August 12 at Agri Expo, 4th Mile, Chümoukedima, coinciding with International Youth Day.
Health & Family Welfare Minister P Paiwang Konyak is scheduled to launch the campaign and flag off the five new motorbikes for HIV-related outreach in Niuland, Tseminyu, Tuensang, Longchem in Mokokchung and Tobu in Mon.
The five bikes will supplement eight “Health on Bike” motorbikes already provided to eight districts, with the initiative aimed at taking HIV prevention, testing and related services closer to communities where difficult terrain and limited connectivity can restrict access to routine healthcare.
The two-month campaign will adopt a district-led and data-driven approach, with each district expected to focus on local needs, identified gaps and priorities.
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As part of the campaign, NSACS plans to conduct 550 village-level meetings across 287 villages, at least 5,500 household door-to-door outreach activities and 540 school outreach sessions.
The programme will also include 110 folk performances in rural areas, 64 college awareness sessions, 50 urban flash mob activities and 17 special health camps at government hospitals.
A dedicated social media campaign will be undertaken for two months, with 40 social media influencers being engaged to strengthen digital outreach, particularly among young people. The campaign will also promote the HIV Self-Risk Assessment Tool and BreakFree to provide young people with information and avenues to assess their risk and connect with appropriate HIV and STI services.
The campaign will also include an IEC 2026 bike rally involving 25 bikers, with similar rallies planned in nine other districts to carry messages on HIV and STI awareness, prevention and solidarity to communities.
The initiative is aligned with NACO’s Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) approach and the goals of the National AIDS Control Programme, including the 95:95:99 targets.
The campaign will bring together government and health officials, district administrations, health programme officers, partner NGOs, community leaders, teachers, students and young people.