Dimapur, May 14 (MExN): The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a programme of the Global Health Council, is one of the oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV and AIDS awareness in the World. It started in 1983 when the cause of AIDS was unknown and only a few thousand AIDS deaths have been recorded.
Dimapur Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (DNP+) President, Moa Phom in a press note informed that the Candlelight Memorial takes place every third Sunday of May. The main objectives of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial are: to honour the memory of those lost to AIDS; to show support for those living with HIV and AIDS; to raise community awareness and decrease stigma related to HIV and AIDS and to mobilize community involvement in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
“The Candlelight is also much more than just a memorial. It provides opportunities for leadership development, policy advocacy, partnerships, and improvement of community mobilization skills. With 33 million people living with HIV today, the Candlelight continues to serve as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers, and giving hope to new generations,” the note added.
This year tens of thousands of people worldwide will light a candle on occasion of the 28th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. Community-Based Organizations in some 115 countries will use the event to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses, to support those living with HIV and affected by its impact and to spur calls to action for greater awareness.
With the theme “Touching Lives…” the Candlelight Memorial is highlighting how HIV has touched the lives of many people. “Touching Lives…” also refers to how an improved HIV response with more treatment access, better prevention methods and respect for human rights and dignity touches the lives of people living with and affected by HIV. The memorial is more than a moment to remember loved ones. It is a moment to look forward to the future of the HIV. The only way to honour those who have passed away is to do everything to improve the lives of people living with HIV.
On 28th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial the Dimapur Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (DNP+) remembers all its pioneer and founding members under whose ceaseless effort and love for people living with HIV (PLHIV) have formed networks for PLHIV and also common platform for PLHIV. DNP+ also remembers its pioneer members Pesha Lam, Seyie, Abon, Rickato, Abemo and Mathong. “Their love, care, encouragement and contribution for the Network and the PLHIV will always remain in our heart and we salute you all for the footprint that you have left and also remembers all its members those who are infected and affected with HIV on the occasion of Candlelight Memorial,” DNP+ stated further.
Dimapur Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (DNP+) President, Moa Phom in a press note informed that the Candlelight Memorial takes place every third Sunday of May. The main objectives of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial are: to honour the memory of those lost to AIDS; to show support for those living with HIV and AIDS; to raise community awareness and decrease stigma related to HIV and AIDS and to mobilize community involvement in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
“The Candlelight is also much more than just a memorial. It provides opportunities for leadership development, policy advocacy, partnerships, and improvement of community mobilization skills. With 33 million people living with HIV today, the Candlelight continues to serve as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers, and giving hope to new generations,” the note added.
This year tens of thousands of people worldwide will light a candle on occasion of the 28th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. Community-Based Organizations in some 115 countries will use the event to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses, to support those living with HIV and affected by its impact and to spur calls to action for greater awareness.
With the theme “Touching Lives…” the Candlelight Memorial is highlighting how HIV has touched the lives of many people. “Touching Lives…” also refers to how an improved HIV response with more treatment access, better prevention methods and respect for human rights and dignity touches the lives of people living with and affected by HIV. The memorial is more than a moment to remember loved ones. It is a moment to look forward to the future of the HIV. The only way to honour those who have passed away is to do everything to improve the lives of people living with HIV.
On 28th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial the Dimapur Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (DNP+) remembers all its pioneer and founding members under whose ceaseless effort and love for people living with HIV (PLHIV) have formed networks for PLHIV and also common platform for PLHIV. DNP+ also remembers its pioneer members Pesha Lam, Seyie, Abon, Rickato, Abemo and Mathong. “Their love, care, encouragement and contribution for the Network and the PLHIV will always remain in our heart and we salute you all for the footprint that you have left and also remembers all its members those who are infected and affected with HIV on the occasion of Candlelight Memorial,” DNP+ stated further.
HIV prevalence rate in Dimapur alarming
PLHIV appeal for 1st Line Alternate ART Regime link centres
DIMAPUR, MAY 14 (MExN): Recently it was reported that the prevalence rate of HIV & AIDS in Nagaland has declined from 1.02 percent to 0.78 percent. The report notwithstanding the District Aids Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) has expressed serious concern that detection rate is only increasing in Dimapur. It came to light during an interaction with a section of the local media on Saturday, May 13 at the DNP+ centre in Dimapur alongwith members DNP+ members.
According to data provided by DAPCU the figure of HIV positive detection since 2008 till date stands at 2357, of which 205 are from Ante-Natal Centres (ANC). The latest figures showed that the period January-April, 2011 - 277 positive cases have been detected with 24 cases from ANC. On an average, it means 69 new positive cases every month. Another disturbing trend that came to light was the detection has shifted from the high risk groups to the general population. DPO, DAPCU Meyisangla expressed her concern over the recent findings.
Dimapur being the epicenter of HIV detection in the state and has already penetrated the general populace, she said that it is high time every individual and not only the stake holders take serious responsibility to put a plug to the rising trend. DNP+ further revealed another sad predicament some of its members are facing at present – the lack of 1st Line Alternate ART Regime which is currently unavailable in the state. At present, only two combinations of ART medicines are available in the ART centre, president of DNP+ Moa disclosed.
1st Line Alternate ART Regime is required in cases wherein those under 1st Line drug treatments develop toxicity or negative side-effects. Such complications have compelled many of its members to discontinue using the available drugs, creating further physical complications. The only alternative is to go to RIMS, Imphal, which quite a difficult task for the PLHIVs, taking into consideration their health condition and financial constraints. Further, the review committee at RIMS, which looks after such cases, does not sit for approval for reference unless those seeking the alternate regime number ten to 15 persons. Three of their members have died, after discontinuing the 1st Line ART regime, when it was discovered they suffered negative side-effects. They were unable to avail any alternative drugs, Moa said.
Rose (name changed) suffered similar side-effects and has discontinued since a month back. She was previously under ART for three months. Another woman said she is still under the 1st Line ART regime despite suffering complications. She said she does want to discontinue.
An HIV positive mother, also a DNP+ member said she developed complications like anemia, peripheral neuropathy, after she started the 1st Line ART Regime in 2009. She was advised by her doctor to stop the therapy last March and referred to RIMS. She is yet to receive any information from RIMS regarding the referral. Even if the recommendation for the 1st Line Alternate ART Regime is approved, indeed, she said it will very difficult for her to obtain it every month since she will be compelled to travel to Imphal.
“When we see our peers in such a predicament, we feel sorry and concerned” expressed DNP+ president, Moa. He voiced the urgent need to have link centres for 1st line alternate ART regime in the state. It takes one month at the least to complete all the necessary procedures to obtain the alternative treatment, he added. Further “going to Imphal and getting the medicine from there will not be very easy (for them) in terms of financial & physical aspect for the PLHIV community” in Dimapur and the rest of the state.
DIMAPUR, MAY 14 (MExN): Recently it was reported that the prevalence rate of HIV & AIDS in Nagaland has declined from 1.02 percent to 0.78 percent. The report notwithstanding the District Aids Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) has expressed serious concern that detection rate is only increasing in Dimapur. It came to light during an interaction with a section of the local media on Saturday, May 13 at the DNP+ centre in Dimapur alongwith members DNP+ members.
According to data provided by DAPCU the figure of HIV positive detection since 2008 till date stands at 2357, of which 205 are from Ante-Natal Centres (ANC). The latest figures showed that the period January-April, 2011 - 277 positive cases have been detected with 24 cases from ANC. On an average, it means 69 new positive cases every month. Another disturbing trend that came to light was the detection has shifted from the high risk groups to the general population. DPO, DAPCU Meyisangla expressed her concern over the recent findings.
Dimapur being the epicenter of HIV detection in the state and has already penetrated the general populace, she said that it is high time every individual and not only the stake holders take serious responsibility to put a plug to the rising trend. DNP+ further revealed another sad predicament some of its members are facing at present – the lack of 1st Line Alternate ART Regime which is currently unavailable in the state. At present, only two combinations of ART medicines are available in the ART centre, president of DNP+ Moa disclosed.
1st Line Alternate ART Regime is required in cases wherein those under 1st Line drug treatments develop toxicity or negative side-effects. Such complications have compelled many of its members to discontinue using the available drugs, creating further physical complications. The only alternative is to go to RIMS, Imphal, which quite a difficult task for the PLHIVs, taking into consideration their health condition and financial constraints. Further, the review committee at RIMS, which looks after such cases, does not sit for approval for reference unless those seeking the alternate regime number ten to 15 persons. Three of their members have died, after discontinuing the 1st Line ART regime, when it was discovered they suffered negative side-effects. They were unable to avail any alternative drugs, Moa said.
Rose (name changed) suffered similar side-effects and has discontinued since a month back. She was previously under ART for three months. Another woman said she is still under the 1st Line ART regime despite suffering complications. She said she does want to discontinue.
An HIV positive mother, also a DNP+ member said she developed complications like anemia, peripheral neuropathy, after she started the 1st Line ART Regime in 2009. She was advised by her doctor to stop the therapy last March and referred to RIMS. She is yet to receive any information from RIMS regarding the referral. Even if the recommendation for the 1st Line Alternate ART Regime is approved, indeed, she said it will very difficult for her to obtain it every month since she will be compelled to travel to Imphal.
“When we see our peers in such a predicament, we feel sorry and concerned” expressed DNP+ president, Moa. He voiced the urgent need to have link centres for 1st line alternate ART regime in the state. It takes one month at the least to complete all the necessary procedures to obtain the alternative treatment, he added. Further “going to Imphal and getting the medicine from there will not be very easy (for them) in terms of financial & physical aspect for the PLHIV community” in Dimapur and the rest of the state.
