Activists seek political leadership to address health concerns — including, HIV and Aids

Dimapur, Nov. 29 (EMN): Health activists involved in intervention works related to drugs, HIV and Aids in Nagaland have appealed for ‘political and continued support’ from the elected members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA).

In a letter to the Speaker of NLA, the Network of Nagaland NGOs on Drugs and Aids organisation (NNagaDAO), “on behalf of 48 NGOs and CBOs working on drugs and HIV and Aids in the state”, stated that Nagaland continues to have of the highest prevalence rate of communicable disease such as HIV, viral hepatitis, TB and other non-communicable disease like cancer, mental health, and sexual reproductive health, predominantly among the adolescents.

‘In this given scenario, with the unfortunate disbandment of the Legislative Forum on HIV and Aids (LFA), the situation paints a worrisome state which could result due to lack of political guidance, leadership and engagement by the esteemed elected members of the legislative assembly.

‘Given the multifaceted challenges confronting us, we, the undersigned, a group of collective organisations having utmost concern towards the cause of HIV and Aids and other health aspect in our state, write to you in appeal for political and continued leadership to meet the urgent needs of our people and address these health concerns in the state,’ the letter read.

It stated that Nagaland requires an urgent action with political leadership to accelerate and scale up the response on health issues.

The elected legislators, political leadership are very crucial to take forward health policies keeping vulnerable communities at the centre and ensuring the welfare of citizens, it added.

“Having gained much learning from the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) experience to the importance of demonstrating political leadership, formulating guidance, monitoring and evaluating the Covid-19 and its response, it is critically important that such greater involvement of the honourable members of the state assembly towards such health issues be transferred towards HIV and Aids, and beyond.

“In view of the above aforesaid situation, we call upon all the elected legislators and seek the matured political leadership towards addressing health concerns to save precious lives and protect the vulnerable populations of our state,’ it stated.