Longon for state-specific strategies on HIV prog in NE

EMN
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 5

HEALTH Minister for Health & Family Welfare P Longon stressed the need for state-specific strategies, keeping in mind the unique social structure, for effective implementation of HIV programmes in the NE States.
Addressing the concluding programme of the three-day NE Conclave-II in Kohima today, Longon expressed his concern over the rising trend of HIV infection in north-eastern states and sexual route being one of the main routes of HIV transmission.
He thanked NACO for having special focus in the NE areas and requested it to put in more efforts in delivering quality services and treatment. He also stressed the need to intensify Inter Personal Communication (IPC) activities in rural areas.
The minister further requested NACO to scale up IEC funding in the State while commending NSACS and NACO for successful implementation of Oral Substitution Therapy (OST) programmes in the State. At present, there are 28 OST centres functioning in Nagaland.
KB Agarwal, Joint Secretary, NACO, in his speech, suggested developing area specific strategy to reach out to the people at their doorsteps with programmatic service delivery. He also mentioned that funding issues are being addressed to overcome the financial barriers facing at present.
Earlier, Dr. L Watikala, Project Director, NSACS, welcomed the members present and stated that the three-day conclave has enabled a pleasant discussions and deliberations of HIV programmes, and effective review of each programme by respective programme heads of NACO and NERO.
Dr Neeraj Dhingra, Deputy Director General (TI), shared the overview of the NE Conclave II. He mentioned that through the three-day conclave, some of the best practices were shared, state-specific issues were discussed and different approaches were drawn to resolve and address them.