DC Kohima seeks concerted effort to prevent HIV infection

DIMAPUR — Terming the high rate of HIV transmission through sexual route as an ‘alarming issue,’ the deputy commissioner and chairperson of Kohima District TB Forum, Shanavas C, has asked all the concerned departments to work in close coordination to prevent further infection in the district.

Shanavas stated this while referring to the data provided by the Kohima District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) that 96.27% of HIV transmission was through sexual route during a meeting of Kohima District TB Forum-DAPCU-EVTHS in his office’s conference hall on October 11.

Stating that the rate of HIV infection starting from the age group of 15 years was a concern, he asked all the concerned departments to work in close coordination, do the groundwork and create more awareness towards better results in the coming years.

He also assured to extend all support from the district administration level and encouraged them to put more effort into their line-up activities towards achieving the goal, stated a DIPR report.

Presenting the HIV scenario in the district, Sentimongla Tzudir, DPO DAPCU, informed that a total of 8769 general clients (GC) and 2144 ante-natal care (ANC) clients were tested in various ICTC Kohima and Tseminyu and one Mobile ICTC in Kohima district.

She stated that out of 8769 general clients, a total of 214 clients tested HIV positive, which included 119 males and 95 females with 164 from Kohima district. She added that out of 2144 ANC clients, a total of 27 clients were tested HIV positive, all from Kohima district.

Out of 241 tested HIV (both GC and ANC), she informed that 43.57% are in the age group of 25-34 years, 28.63% in 35-49 years, 19.5% in 15-24 years, 4.98% in 50 years and 3.32% in 1-14 years of age with 96.27% of transmission through sexual route.

Tzudir informed that the one-month-long ISHTH campaign was launched on July 20 at District Jail, Kohima during which a total of 93 clients underwent general health check-ups and screening for HIV and Syphilis, TB, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Dr. Chibenthung Kithan, DTO Kohima, highlighted the achievement activities and current data on TB-positive cases in the district. He said out of 1353 clients tested, 403 tested TB positive, out of which, 363 are undergoing the treatment. He also shared on Nikshay Mitra (donor), which means food packet for TB clients, and informed that at present 39 donors have agreed to support 114 patients.

He further conveyed on the requirement for more donors from organisations, churches and individuals to support the TB clients.

The report also stated that Vituozolie Kuotsu, DIS DAPCU, made a presentation on the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV and Syphilis, while Imliakum Imsong, PO AHANA, made a presentation on AHANA.

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