‘If stigma continues then the disease cannot be wiped out’
Staff Reporter
Dimapur, December 1
The spread of HIV & AIDS will not stop no matter how much we carry out awareness programme, as long as there is stigma and discrimination in the society. This was shared by People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Dimapur today during the 27th World AIDS Day organized by District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) in collaboration with Partner NGOs at Town Hall Dimapur.
Voicing out on behalf on PLHIV, the individual lamented that society considers the disease as a sin without knowing the status and it is because of stigma and discrimination. The individual informed that Dimapur district has the highest status of people with HIV and every month 40-50 cases of HIV are detected. “If the stigma continues then the disease cannot be wiped out.” With three counselors and two doctors available to address HIV patients, the individual said, in Dimapur district alone, around 3000 HIV & AIDS patients are receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).
Bringing to light about the shortage of ART in the state, PLHIV appealed to the government to address the issue for the convenience of the infected, and called upon media persons to be torch bearers in spreading awareness on stigma and discrimination.
With this year’s theme ‘Getting to Zero: Focus. Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free generation’, guest speaker Rozelle Mero, managing director of the People Channel said, at this position, getting to Zero sounds unachievable considering the statistics and the attitude of the people.
‘We live in a society where people are very nosy and this is why infected people are apprehensive to come out and speak’ lamented Rozelle. With India soon to witness immense young population, Rozelle opined that with the present situation of HIV among youth, Nagaland is far from witnessing youth making an impact on the society.
‘Churches are the biggest community in the state and we as a community need to pressure churches to come out and address this issue and people not only from lower income but from all backgrounds should come and speak on it’ added Rozelle.
Articulating on the commitment and solidarity, Fr.C.F.Anto of Peace Channel Dimapur said, social disease demands social action.
“We need to talk about AIDS in churches, temples, mosques etc to stop AIDS and specifically youth must discuss it openly as the age group of 15-40 years are said to be most infected by HIV.
The statistics of Nagaland shows that HIV in the state is increasing instead of decreasing. Fr.Anto presented the statistics from 2011- September 2014.
Year No. of people infected
2011 3087
2012 4610
2013 5561
Till Sept. 2014 6368
A one-minute silent prayer was observed for the people infected and affected with HIV & AIDS. The programme, supported by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) Kohima & Vihaan Nagaland was chaired by David and Naro. The welcome address was delivered by Deputy CMO Dimapur Dr.Imcha Jamir and Rev. Robert Kikon of Soaking & Healing Room invoked God’s blessing. Significance of the day was presented by Program Manager, DNP+ TI Niuland Henile Tep. The vote of thanks was rendered by DPO, DAPCU Mecievinuo Zhotso.
Mokokchung: Along with the rest of the world, Mokokchung observed the World AIDS Day with the theme “Getting to Zero; Focus, Partner, Achieve - An AIDS Free Generation”.
The programme was organized by DAPCU, NMP+, CCC, CSS, Guardian Angel and MUN at Onpangkong Salang, Arkong ward and graced by Rajesh (IAS), SDO Mokokchung as the chief guest.
In his address, he appealed the mass to spread awareness and fight discrimination. “The greatest pain of HIV +ve people is not physical pain but it is the mental pain caused by discrimination,” he said.
He exhorted to the gathering develop the art of ‘Frank Communication’ in the community especially with the younger generation to be able to fight the existing stigma and fear. He also requested the organizers to systematize a signature campaign in the act to give awareness and eliminate social stigma.
T. Temsu Jamir, president NMP+ shared the concern to fight against discrimination. “As long as there is discrimination, AIDS free generation is not possible,” he said adding that there are 574 registered HIV positive people till date.
“In order to fight and to achieve AIDS free generation, the society as a whole must first come together in partnership to fight the social stigma,” he added.
DAPCU District ICTC Supervisor Molo shared on the significance of the day with retouch of data records over the years. Focusing on the programme theme, he additionally motivated the gathering to ‘focus for a new rhythm’ to achieve AIDS free generation not only in Mokokchung but contributing worldwide. The programme was chaired by Yangerienla, FCC Counsellor, CSS.
KIPHIRE: In Kiphire, the event was jointly organized by the District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit and District Level Network (KpNP+) and IBAPWO event at Hopongkyu Memorial Hall, Kiphire town, being sponsored by the NSACS and Vihaan Nagaland.
The programme at Kiphire was graced by Chumremo Odyuo, Deputy Commissioner Kiphire as the chief guest and attended by various church youth leaders of Kiphire town along with their youth members, ward chairmen, women associations and various NGOs.
In his address, the Deputy Commissioner while stating that HIV/AIDS constitute the greatest threat towards our society said the only way to prevent HIV is by giving complete information to the general population and awareness and communication programme is necessary.
Stating that NACO and NSACS have been taking so many steps and programmes to combat the menace of HIV, the DC also appealed the NGOs, public leaders including churches, students to fully extend their cooperation to the working teams in the district.
He also shared his concern over the detection rate in Kiphire district where 37 general clients and 11 ANC have been tested HIV positive in six months this year which he said shows a rapid increase over the previous years.
“There is a need to launch a massive people’s movement to check further spreading of this disease by treating victims as equal as normal human being,” he said.
The significance of the day was presented by Tsiatsuvi DPO, DAPCU Kiphire, while Erothe shared on positive sharing. The district scenario on HIV was presented by David Deshelin, M&E DAPCU. The programme was chaired by Moaba Sangtam and vote of thanks was tendered by Ropila, counsellor CSC.
