Dimapur, Nov 13 (EMN): With the alarming rate of HIV infections in the State, People in Need Foundation (PNF) has organised a three-day training on “Building community response to HIV/AIDS” at Don Bosco Institute of Development and Leadership (DBI-dl).
Resource persons Dr. Jean Louis Lamboray from Belgium and the founder of Constellation and AIDS Competence Process (ACP) and Rituu B Nanda from Delhi and national co-ordinator on “Community Life Competence” facilitated the training of Dimapur based NGOs and DAPCU staff. Dr. Antoly, Deputy CMO, provided active encouragement and support to the programme and inspired the trainees with her visit during the training.
“Building community response to HIV/AIDS” is a new approach to make communities take ownership of their own problems and take local action on their problems. The approach is expected to supplement the targeted intervention programme of Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) in reducing and containing the AIDS virus.
The approach to building community response is through SALT visits to families and communities. SALT is to “to stimulate and support, to appreciate, to listen and learn from them, and transfer positive experiences to others. Such visits explore the strengths in those communities through interactive sessions and build action on their strengths. The trainees made three SALT visits to Bor-lengri, Rilan and Molvum communities.
On day-three, a group action plan was made for Dimapur district to be implemented with active co-operation of NGOs, DAPCU, ASHA and Anganwadi workers along with the involvement of selected villages and colonies under Dr. Antoly Swu.
After the training, Dr. Jean-Louis Lamboray and PNF team visited NSACS and had an in-depth interaction with Dr. Vinito Chishi and Dr. Bernice and their staff on the new approach of community response to HIV/AIDS. Dr. Vinito has invited Dr. Jean Louis to sensitise the new NLFA members on the new approach in the coming years.
