Kohima, October 25 (MExN): The ARK (Access to Rights and Knowledge) Foundation on Sunday underscored the need to revitalize HIV/AIDS advocacy in the state, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which has halted progress in several public health programmes.
In a press release, ARK Foundation President Ketho Angami, termed the disbandment of the Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) in June this year, as a ‘wrong move,’ that will result in “a huge set back by disconnecting the elected leaders with the Nodal Department (NSACS) and other local NGO partners in terms of the ‘big picture’ pertaining HIV & AIDS in Nagaland as a concerted effort.”
The LFA was formed in 2007 through the support and facilitation of UNAIDS India Country Office, as a medium to keep elected Members of the Legislative Assembly proactively engaged in the collaborated fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, it said.
Stating that the HIV case scenario in Nagaland has seen an increase over the past years with the adult prevalence rate of 1.15% according to NACO HIV estimation 2017, cited in the NSACS website, it said that Nagaland still ranks 3rd highest in the country.
The battle against HIV is not yet over and that the LFA, which is a crucial platform to bring the highlights and advocacy needs of HIV from the perspective of the nodal and local NGO/CSO partners to the members of the legislative assembly in terms of policy making, is as crucial as it was before, the release stated.
Putting across its concerns with regard to HIV/AIDS prevalence in the state, the ARK Foundation said that with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the progress of several public health programmes including HIV have been derailed in the state. “It is of supreme importance that the Forum is reactivated to provide political guidance and support to NSACS and NGOs to reverse and halt the AIDS epidemic,” it maintained.
The line of connection and channel of communication must continue to flow when it comes to crucial agendas such as appointment of Ombudsman, providing budgetary allocations for the HIV/AIDS act 2017, and other ever emerging concerns toward ending AIDS epidemic by 2030, it added.
Meanwhile, ARK Foundation applauded the efforts made by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society and partner NGOs for initiating various innovations towards mitigating the COVID hit crises, ensuring continuum service delivery and working towards rebuilding the programme in the present scenario.
Amid all the challenges that lie ahead towards achieving the UN’s 2030 target, the ARK foundation urged the MLAs to reconsider their decision and mull on continuing the LFA and also called upon the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, to revitalize the AIDS Council, during this crucial period so as to contain, halt and reverse the AIDS epidemic in Nagaland.
“The present UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Bilali Camara, has also assured his willingness to provide technical and other support to the LFA, during a recent virtual meeting organized by Kripa Foundation,” it added.
