KOHIMA — The US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, on Friday called for global collaboration against HIV & AIDS and sought renewed dedication to overcoming the challenges.
Speaking at a programme organised to commemorate World Aids Day on the theme ‘Let communities lead’ in Kohima, Garcetti assured continued support from the United States of America and the renewal of the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar).
He advocated for a holistic approach to health encompassing nutrition, well-being, fitness, mental health and spiritual health. He also emphasised on the importance of community-driven approach in the fight against HIV.
The ambassador acknowledged the historical role of the faith-based organisations (FBO), particularly churches, in addressing challenges like HIV.
Meanwhile, Garcetti expressed inspiration drawn from diverse sources including dignitaries, everyday people and the remarkable teamwork around him while reinforcing the global commitment to combating HIV.
The diplomat engaged the audience in a call-and-response tradition, underscoring the importance of collective responsibility in the fight against HIV. He also led the audience in taking an oath affirming, "I will help someone, and together, we will defeat AIDS."
He thanked the pioneers for their early work on HIV & AIDS in Nagaland. He further extended gratitude to the people of Nagaland for their warm welcome.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), NGOs and other development partners organised the event.
Dr. Joyce Angami, president of Nagaland Medical Council, shared her 30-year journey working with drug abuse and HIV & AIDS patients, collaborating with various organisations locally and internationally.
She emphasised the crucial role of community storytelling in transforming minds, spirits, bodies and prompting informed decisions.
Stressing the need to keep those stories alive, Angami was of the view that they drive societal amendments and positive change.
KP Ezung, assistant director of Kripa Foundation, recalled the first HIV case in Nagaland, which was detected among injecting drug users in 1990, a time when the number of drug users was high and stigma and discrimination was at its peak.
He recounted how “drug users were paraded on the streets, put behind bars, put in traditional cages made of itchy wood, shot dead by national workers and the government putting a blanket ban on needles and syringes.”
“As a result of these punitive measures, drug users became hidden and HIV prevalence became high among injecting drug users,” Ezung said.
Realising the urgency to control HIV transmission among high risk group, he apprised that the state government, with the support of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), adopted the harm reduction strategy, thereby creating an enabling environment for the community to access clean needles and syringes and other prevention services.
Dr. Bernice Dzuvichu, joint director (prevention) of NSACS, paid tribute to those who lost their lives to the epidemic, while acknowledging the joy that interventions have enabled some to overcome the disease.
Highlighting government initiatives for those affected, Dzuvichu urged all citizens to responsibly disseminate crucial information about HIV & AIDS.
V Kezo, commissioner and secretary of Health and Family Welfare, conveyed gratitude to the US government for its intervention in the sector. He expressed confidence that the participation of the US Ambassador would yield significant outcomes and foster increased awareness and guide the community towards a more meaningful life.
On the occasion, Garcetti also launched the e-Art.
Among others, Dr. Megna Desai, country director of CDC India; Dr. Melissa Nyendak, director Division of Global Health HIV & TB; Dr. Asha Hegde, director HIV & Hepatitis South Asia PATH and Dr. Veena Reddy, mission director of USAID, attended the programme.