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KOHIMA — With an objective to raise awareness on HIV among the community members, the Red Ribbon Club (RRC) of Don Bosco College Kohima, in collaboration with Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), organised a community outreach programme and flash mob at Old NST Junction in Kohima on Wednesday.
Students performed songs, dances, theatricals and quizzes to create awareness on the importance of early testing for HIV, supporting people living with HIV and saying no to drug abuse.
Nagaland is the second highest HIV adult prevalence state in the country with 1.34%, which is higher than the national average of 0.21% among the adult age group.
HIV is spread through sexual route, sharing of infected needles and syringes and mother-to-child transmission, besides transfusion of HIV-infected blood, said Dr. M Nukshisangla Jamir, joint director of NSACS, and impressed on the need for behavioural changes to stay HIV-free.
“If there is an unsafe exposure through any of these routes of transmission, only an HIV testing will definitively diagnose HIV infection,” she said.
Emphasising on the importance of taking medication regularly, she said the HIV medicines can suppress the multiplication of HIV virus present in the blood and the person can live a life just like any other normal person who does not have HIV. She cautioned those having HIV positive and on treatment to never skip their daily dose because life should go on.
She urged those who are involved in risky behaviours to get themselves tested and follow the advice and guidance of the counselors and the doctors.
While advising those without HIV to stay safe, she warned that all diseases come with a price tag which they have to end up paying heavily.
“It is high time we come out of the closet of HIV, demystify the fears and stigma surrounding HIV disease, start looking at HIV virus just like any other germ causing disease,” she said adding that nobody should die of HIV or AIDS in this modern world.
She further urged all to embrace the reality and be accountable and responsible for one’s own health.