NCPCR organises workshop on HIV/AIDS among children

KOHIMA — The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), in collaboration with the Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR), on Tuesday organised a one-day state-level consultation and awareness workshop on “Prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst children and preventive strategies” in Nagaland at Hotel Japfu in Kohima.

The event was facilitated by Lachit Yuba Bikash Kendra (LYBK).

Speaking at the programme, NSCPCR chairman, Alun Hangsing, highlighted that the concept of child rights began in 17th century in France, where children were referred to as the ‘little man’ though in a limited form. He pointed out that it was only after the First World War and with the formation of the League of Nations that child rights were recognised in principle.

He informed that full recognition of child rights came after the Second World War with the establishment of the United Nations, which emphasised children’s rights as the backbone of society and stressed the need for a conducive environment for their growth and uplift.

Hangsing noted that under the Geneva Convention, the UN mandated its member countries to adopt child rights. In India, the government passed the Protection of Child Rights Act in 2005, leading to the formation of the National Commission in 2007.

He informed that the Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights was established in February 2013 and has been working for over ten years. However, Hangsing pointed out that awareness about child rights remained insufficient in the state. He stated that although the state government is committed to supporting the commission, additional funding was needed to expand its programmes.

He also emphasised the role of stakeholders, including the media, in spreading awareness and acknowledged about NCPCR’s initiative in organising the event.

He further discussed the history and transmission routes of HIV and urged the participants to actively disseminate information to prevent its spread.

In her welcome address, Yongchingkumla, secretary of SCPCR, underscored the importance of participation of various sectors such as administration, school education, health and family welfare and social welfare in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

She highlighted that HIV/AIDS remained a major global public health issue with children under 15 making up 7% of the HIV-infected population in India. She stated that those children are highly vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and neglect, especially when orphaned or left without guardians and often faced social stigma and discrimination thereby depriving them of basic education and healthcare services.

She informed that the workshop was aimed at ensuring the children and adolescents affected by HIV receive access to treatment, safe homes, education and opportunities for overall development.

She further mentioned that one of the main functions of the commission is to examine all factors that inhibit children’s enjoyment of their rights, particularly for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

The objective of the workshop was “to create a common platform for all stakeholders and strengthen collaboration between various government departments to ensure that children and adolescents infected and affected by HIV are provided with all essential services.”

During the technical session, Dr. M Nukshisangla Jamir, joint director of NSACS, spoke on “Preventive strategies for HIV/AIDS amongst children” and emphasised the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV and Syphilis (EVTHS).

She mentioned that the Government of India launched the programme in 2002, as part of the second phase of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), to prevent vertical transmission of HIV.

The initial goal was to eliminate vertical transmission by 2015, which was later extended to 2020. India is now working towards achieving the global 95:95:95 targets for eliminating HIV and Syphilis by 2050.

She outlined key features of EVTHS, including providing care for high-risk pregnancies in HIV-positive women and screening of babies born to HIV and Syphilis positive mothers using diagnostic algorithms, followed by prophylactic treatment.

Other speakers included Rokovizo, deputy director of NSACS; Dr. Bernice Thapru, joint director of NSACS; and Ainato Yeptho, deputy director of NSACS.