Members of the United Riders Motorcycle Club and Red Ribbon Club, Immanuel College with others during the International Youth Day on August 12.
Dimapur, August 12 (MExN): District Integrated Strategy for HIV and AIDS (DISHA) in collaboration with the United Riders Motorcycle Club and Red Ribbon Club, Immanuel College observed International Youth Day 2025 on the theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs: Preventing HIV and Promoting Health” on August 12.
The resource speaker of the event was Dr Hotoka Hesso, SMO ART PLus Centre, DHD. In his address, Dr Hesso emphasised on raising awareness about HIV and AIDS and promoting healthy living. He reminded the youths stating, “you are not only the future as youth, you are the present, and your health is your future.”
He highlighted steps to be taken by responsible individuals; firstly to go for testing to know one's status; secondly, treatment which is accessible free of cost and suppress the virus and prevent transmission; thirdly, to stay protected and prevented from spreading by following preventive measures and using protective tools.
Other tools to safeguard oneself are using Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (prEp), an antiviral medications to prevent HIV infections and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (Pep), an antiretroveral medication after potential exposure to the virus. He said that HIV is primarily transmitted through unsafe sex, sharing of needles, blood transfusion and mother-to-child transmission.
He urged the participants to take responsibility not just for their own health but also for contributing sustainable development goals through regular testing, safe practices and spreading awareness. Education is another powerful weapon to fight the virus through learning, sharing and ending stigma. Collaborating among like-minded people, this grave health issue can be addressed, he added.
Earlier, the event was chaired by Dr Sophiya, Co-Convener, Red Ribbon Club, followed by invocation pronounced by Songmo Khiamniungan. Welcome address was delivered by Dr Th Sharatchandra Singh, Principal, Immanuel College. United Riders Motorcycle Club president gave an exhortation and vote of thanks was expressed by Mecievinuo Zhotso, District Program Officer, DISHA.
