DIMAPUR — Along with the rest of the world, Nagaland also observed World AIDS Day 2024 on the theme ‘Take the right path: My health, my right!’ at CPO Hall, Chümoukedima, on Sunday.
The event was organised by the District Integrated Strategy for HIV/AIDS (DISHA), in collaboration with Dimapur District Legal Service Authority (DDLSA), District Level Network, partner NGOs, HLFPPT, CHRI, NNP+ and development partners.
In his address, senior medical officer of ART Plus Centre at District Hospital Dimapur (DHD), Dr. Hotoka Hesso, said that this year's theme advocates for the removal of legal and social barriers that infringe on people's rights, such as discriminatory laws and criminalisation that hinder access to healthcare and social support for people living with HIV (PLHIV).
The theme also encourages leaders in different fields and communities to promote inclusive policies and create legal frameworks that support HIV prevention, treatment, and care without stigma, he said.
Dr. Hesso said that to end AIDS, it requires reaching out and engaging everyone who is living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV, especially people who have been most excluded and marginalised.
The senior medical officer also highlighted the key messages of World AIDS Day, including health is a human right, prevention empowers and protects, and addressing stigma and discrimination.
He said that everyone should have access to the health services they need, including HIV prevention, treatment, and care services when and where they need them. Protecting rights means ensuring that healthcare is available to everyone, without any discrimination, regardless of their HIV status, background, gender, or where they live, he said.
Also, the doctor maintained that empowering individuals with access to HIV prevention tools, education, and services protects not only their health but also their rights. Equal access to prevention is key to stopping new infections, he shared.
Further, stating that stigma and discrimination undermine the fight against AIDS, Dr. Hesso emphasised that human rights are essential to achieving universal HIV care and breaking down barriers to access.
He reminded that with early diagnosis and consistent antiretroviral therapy, PLHIVs can lead long and healthy normal lives and that collectively, the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets can be achieved.
The UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy aims for 95% of PLHIVs to know their HIV status, 95% of people who know that they are living with HIV to be on lifesaving antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of people who are on treatment to be virally suppressed.
Dr. Hesso informed that the ART Plus Centre, DHD, has achieved the first and third targets, while the second target of 95% of people who know their status and are receiving HIV treatment has reached only 86%.
On the occasion, associate pastor of DABA, Imnatoshi Longkumer and a representative of Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA) also delivered solidarity messages.