Principal Correspondent/Staff Reporter
KONIA/DIMAPUR, MAY 18
SOLEMNLY observing the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service, Nagaland also joined in remembering those who died of HIV and AIDS by offering silent prayers and lighting candles in the symbolic HIV/AIDS cross.
The programme was jointly organised by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society and Nagaland Network of Positive People (NNP+) under the theme “Let’s keep the light on HIV” at Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) Cradle Ridge, Seithogei Kohima.
Speaking on the occasion, NMA president Abei-ü Meru said this year’s theme speaks to the urgent need to ensure that HIV and AIDS remain high on domestic and international agendas.
Expressing that the issue of HIV/AIDS remains a challenging reality, she said the service is an opportunity for all to remember those lost to AIDS since the start of epidemic and to look forward to a future world with universal access to HIV treatment and one that is free of HIV related stigma and discrimination, giving hope to new generation.
She maintained that such candlelight service should serve as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers of stigma and discrimination.
“The Candlelight memorial is about recognizing those who have campaigned for the rights of people living with HIV as well as remembering those who have fallen along the way,” she said.
She said whilst enormous gains have been made in improving the lives of people living with HIV, there are still barriers to be overcome while declaring NMA’s unwavering support to every movement and programme in combating the issue of HIV/AIDS.
“HIV/AIDS has hit almost every family. If you are not infected then you are affected,” she said while stating that the support and care for people living with HIV has become everyone’s responsibility.
The NMA president also urged upon policy makers to show their leadership in the execution of Global Fund to support people living with HIV and AIDS.
NNP+ president Noami Semy maintained that the network has 4692 registered members while till date 310 have died due to AIDS. She also appealed that awareness should be created on achieving the 3 ‘zeros’ – zero discrimination; zero new infection and zero AIDS related deaths in Nagaland.
Solidarity message was shared by Director OJ Modeling, Grooming & Training, Opang Jamir who is also Mr International India 2012.
Special numbers were presented by Children of NMA Cradle Ridge and Arenla Susan, president and designer Naga Next Top Model.
In Dimapur, the 31st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service was observed at IMC Hall.
Dr Sedevi, Deputy Director, CIHSR, Dimapur, who was the guest speaker, in his address stressed the need to integrate both the public and private sectors/hospitals to control the epidemic of the dreaded disease.
“The Government of India needs to revise its policy on AIDS. Instead of relying only on the government hospitals, the Centre should get the private sectors incorporated as far as possible,” he said. He was apprehensive that the country will fail in its attempt to control the disease if it doesn’t support the private hospitals much more aggressively.
With Dimapur district having only one ART centre at the district hospital, Dr Sedevi called for setting up of more ART centres in Dimapur and elsewhere in order to reach out to more HIV patients.
“According to reports available, majority of the patients attend the private hospitals to get HIV tested, but they fail to turn up for ART treatment though they are tested positive. And this is a great risk to the society,” he said further mentioning that the three biggest HIV problems are - delay in testing, delay in care and early drop out in ART. Temjen Jamir, a representative from Project Orchid, said collective effort from all the sections of the society is needed to combat the disease.
“The fight against HIV/AIDS should not be the sole responsibility of one individual or organization, but it should be a common responsibility,” he said while stressing the need for a joint venture from all the NGOs on the issue.
Short speeches on the concerns of HIV/AIDS and the theme “Let’s keep the light on HIV” were delivered by members of DNP+.
The programme was presided over by Anna Hairang, PO NACo, NERO while the vote of thanks was tendered by Orenthung, ICTC Supervisor, DAPCU. Merebeni Patton presented a song to mark the occasion.
The candlelight memorial service in Dimapur was organized by the Dimapur Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS and District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit in collaboration with Partner NGOs Dimapur, supported by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, Kohima.
