Kiphire, February 22 (MExN): The International Border Area Peoples Welfare Organization (IBAPWO), an NGO working for HIV intervention in Kiphire district conducted a one day advocacy campaign on HIV/AIDS at Pungro Town on February 18.
IBAPWO Kiphire Director N. Rhuletsu Whourr in a press release stated that Tsiatsuvi, DPO, DAPCU while presenting the current HIV scenario of the district said that in the past year out of a total 1438 people tested, 31 have been tested positive and requested the participants to join hands and take collective measures towards this menace. She also highlighted the services and facilities available in the District. Tia Sangtam, general secretary, KpNp+ spoke on the need to stop discrimination and acceptance of PLHIVs by the society as they can also walk, talk and play like any other person. He also spoke on ART Adherence, Positive living and Services available at the DIC of KpNp+.
Dr. Sungit Jamir, CMO, Kiphire exhorted the gathering to wake up as like a cold/flu virus, this menace has spread like a wildfire and reached such a remote place like Pungro. He also urged the participants to go for regular HIV testing as it is not a frightful disease and hence awareness and prevention are the main tools in stopping it. He also spoke on TB-HIV co-infection and importance of TB testing. Mukhe, President, NPF, Pungro Unit exhorted the gathering to take action at one’s own level to stop this virus and not stay idle and also acceptance of PLHIVs as they are and to understand their needs.
R. Tsapikiu Sangtam, Advisor, KTC speaking as the chief guest said that in wars, some people will die, some will live and will be over in a period of time, but HIV is spreading silently and has even reached such remote places and so as community leaders, we all need to work collectively towards making a safe future for comings generations. He also exhorted the gathering saying that even politicians are making huge efforts and contributions towards HIV preventions, then as a leader of ones own village, society it is high time that we need to act. He also spoke on importance of HIV testing and declaring of one’s status and the need to create a discrimination free society. He also exhorted the youths and women, parents on their roles and responsibilities and what each must do on his/her part in combating this menace. However, this can only be achieved only if Discrimination towards PLHIVs is done away with as HIV can be termed as disease which can be managed though not cured through early diagnosis and adherence to ART.
More than 241 people attended the programme which comprised of GBs, DBs, church leaders, women leaders, youths/students, political leaders, health authorities and police. The programme was sponsored be the Legislators Forum on HIV/AIDS (LFA)-UNAIDS, Nagaland. It was the first kind of Advocacy Programme where HIV testing was also done on 25 people and about 40 people accessed health check-ups and general medicines provided by CMO, Kiphire Office.
Lentsuba, President, PACSU chaired the programme and invocation was pronounced by Yimto, Pastor, Yimchunger Baptist Church, Pungro. Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, SDO(C), Pungro while welcoming the participants requested them to learn and decide what they as leaders can do on their part to stop the spreading of HIV. Vote of thanks was pronounced by James Sangtam, Program Manager of IBAPWO and benediction by Catholic Church Parish Representative.
