Nagaland’s growing HIV infections worries legislators’ forum

Dimapur, July 1 (EMN): A consultant to the Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) has spoken about increasing numbers of new HIV infections in Nagaland particularly in districts like Dimapur, Kohima, Tuensang, Kiphire etc. This worry was highlighted at a seminar on HIV/AIDS at Pfutsero in Phek district.
Members of the LFA conducted a HIV/AIDS seminar on June 28 with members of Baptist Theological College (BTC) of Pfutsero in the college’s auditorium.

The forum issued a press release to the media informing about the programme.
During the programme, Dr. Vinito L Chishi, state consultant for the forum gave a presentation about the HIV/AIDS situation in Nagaland. He spoke about concerns related to the increasing number of new HIV infections in the state particularly in districts like Dimapur, Kohima, Tuensang, Kiphire etc.

Chishi emphasised on the importance of advocacy in the churches in response to HIV/AIDS. He urged students who are preparing to enter into church ministry and mission work to make use of their leadership opportunities by taking positive initiatives in addressing issues related to HIV/AIDS. They can work towards reducing stigma, discrimination and work for prevention to ‘create an AIDS free generation in the days to come,’ Chishi said.

A member of the forum, Hukatoli, no surname given in the press release, also gave a presentation on the topic of ‘social concern on HIV/AIDS.’ She talked about living responsibly with particular emphasis on being aware of consequences, challenges and importance of things, the updates stated.

Students and faculty members of the college attended the programme too, the press release added.

Midwives trained in HIV/AIDS, STD matters
A training programme on HIV/AIDS and STD for auxiliary nurse midwifery (ANM) workers was conducted in the conference hall of the district hospital of Zunheboto on 28 June.

The programme was conducted by the district AIDS programme control unit of Zunheboto, updates from the Zunheboto establishment stated in a press release informing about the programme.

According to the press release, Dr K Akaho Sema, the district’s deputy chief medical officer, urged the participants at the programme to keep learning and to stay updated to enhance their services.

A counsellor, Alotoli, spoke about the basics of HIV/AIDS. She was stated to have mentioned that Zunheboto has more than 200 people registered for antiretroviral therapy in Zunheboto.

Further, district tuberculosis officer Dr. G Viholi Sema spoke about tuberculosis and HIV, and how the two are common infections. ‘HIV infected people are prone to tuberculosis,’ she said. She said that the ANM should give equal importance to all kinds of test ‘as there are many new things coming up,’ the press release explained.

Another district functionary, Hokishe Chophy, DPO, talked about the ‘90, 90, 90’ goal set by the WHO.
The press release read: ‘He said that the first 90 is that 90 percent PLHIV should know their status from that 90 percent should get access to treatment and from which 90 percent should get their viral load suppressed.’

Vivi Kiba, a laboratory technician, demonstrated the tests that are used for HIV and Syphilis, the updates added.