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KOHIMA — The Red Ribbon Club (RRC) Youth Convention 2024, an initiative of the Nagaland AIDS Control Society (NSACS) as part of intensified Information Education and Communication (IEC) campaign, underscored the need to end stigma and discrimination against HIV/AIDS.
The event for Kohima zone with participants from Kohima, Tseminyu, Wokha, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Kiphire and Phek districts was held at Capital Convention Centre in Kohima on Tuesday.
Dr. Nukshisangla Jamir, NSACS joint director (BSD), stated it is crucial to understand one’s body, seek timely healthcare and take control during illness to achieve holistic health—physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
Highlighting that HIV, if untreated, leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), she explained that the virus destroys immune cells known as CD4 cells, which leaves individuals vulnerable to a range of infections including TB, bacterial and fungal infections as well as certain cancers.
Pointing out that Nagaland has the second-highest adult HIV prevalence in India standing at 1.34% with particularly high rates among pregnant women, she highlighted the initial phase and progressions of the disease.
She said HIV is primarily transmitted through four scientifically proven routes, the most common being sexual contact accounting for 86.5%, homosexual at 1.1%, sharing infected needles/syringes at 8.52%, HIV positive mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding at 3.15%, and through the transfusion of infected blood.
Highlighting that testing for HIV is widely accessible in Nagaland in all district hospitals, CHC, PHC and village health centres, she added that screening and confirmatory tests are provided free of cost at government hospitals.
Dr. Jamir said preventing HIV infection requires practicing safe sex including consistent and correct use of condoms, ensuring that blood is screened and using only disposable or disinfected needles. She added that HIV testing during pregnancy is critical to prevent the transmission of the virus from mother to child.
Church commitment for inclusive community
Rev. Suhuto Chishi, youth secretary of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), addressed the enduring issues of stigma and discrimination from a Biblical context. He explained that in ancient Biblical times, stigma was attached to individuals considered socially or morally deviant such as lepers, prostitutes and sinners, leading to their marginalisation and ostracisation.
Discrimination, as Chishi pointed out, is an act of making unfair distinctions between people or groups, which often clouds judgment and perpetuates inequality. While stigma and discrimination is a universal issue, it becomes especially pronounced in the context of HIV/AIDS, where both the infected and affected are often stigmatised and excluded from society, he said.
Chishi emphasised that Christian teachings call for a response of compassion and service rather than judgment. While referring to the Biblical commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," he underscored the responsibility of Christians to care and support People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
Citing the words of Jesus, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17), he stated that it served as a reminder for the church to serve those who are suffering and marginalised.
He pointed out that since 2002, NBCC has been actively engaged in combating HIV/AIDS through a comprehensive approach that included prevention, education, and advocacy, while the Nagaland Development Outreach (NDO), the development agency of NBCC, has been instrumental in mobilising churches to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
He maintained that the NDO has organised numerous training sessions, seminars, advocacy workshops and awareness programmes by equipping church leaders with the knowledge and resources needed to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS and reduce stigma and discrimination within their communities.
Although the Legislators Forums for AIDS is no longer active, Chishi emphasised that the responsibility to fight HIV/AIDS and stigma and discrimination does not rest solely with the government or NGOs adding that the church also has a crucial role to play.
While acknowledging that much progress has been made particularly in the past two decades, Chishi stated that there is still much work to be done. He stressed that stigma and discrimination are man-made barriers that divide society and the church.
He expounded that the church's mission is to replace fear with faith, ignorance with knowledge, blame with respect and hatred with love.
Chishi further reaffirmed NBCC's commitment to ensuring that PLWHA are not stigmatised or discriminated and called for continued efforts to build a more inclusive and compassionate community.
Role of youth to combat HIV
Katho P Awomi, Speaker of the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), highlighted the indispensable role of youth in combating the spread of HIV. He emphasised that the involvement of young people is not just important but essential in the ongoing fight against the virus.
"The role of youth in HIV prevention is not just a nicety, but a necessity," Awomi stated.
He urged young people to educate themselves and others about the virus, promote regular testing and actively engage in community efforts to support those affected.
He further urged his peers to break the silence, combat stigma and mobilise their communities and expressed optimism on the youth's ability to turn the tide and create a world where HIV is eventually eradicated.
Youth urged to normalise HIV
Popular Naga artiste, Moko Koza, called upon young people to take active role in HIV awareness and prevention. He also emphasised the power of influencers in society and urged the youth to use their platforms to spread accurate information and reduce stigma surrounding HIV.
"As a musician, I use my songs to address important topics including HIV, and it's my responsibility to spread the right message," Koza said.
Koza recounted his experience working with the NSACS, where he created music that addressed HIV prevention. He stated that platforms like social media offer powerful tools to reach a wide audience.
Koza further urged the youth to take responsibility in spreading accurate information and advocating for those living with HIV saying, "It's our job to stop discrimination and ensure that HIV is no longer a taboo subject.”
Yhuni Khesen, president of Kohima Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (KNP+) shared experiences and stories on positive living.
She expressed concern about the increasing number of positive cases despite awareness and other activities and sought the support of the young RRC members to spread the awareness and reduce stigma.
H Viputo Yeptho, national level RRC quiz winner 2022, also shared his experience as a RRC member.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ahu Sekhose, NSACS project director, informed that the delegates from seven districts were trained as ambassadors or ‘RRC agents.’
The event also witnessed interactive sessions as well as sensitisation on role and induction of RRC ambassadors and their responsibility.