Kiphire at war against HIV/AIDS

Our Correspondent
Kiphire | July 17

A consultative meeting on HIV, jointly organised by NSACS and the KpLHIV, was held on Friday, July 17, at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner. The meeting was attended by MLA and Chairman of NSMDC, C Kipili Sangtam, who is also Chairman of the DPDB, and all leading NGO public leaders and officers.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Sangtam said Kiphire is in the war zone as there are more HIV infected persons in the district. He asked those present to equip themselves to face the challenge, and said that warriors are here to subside the situation. The MLA also commented that there are many departments in the state, but departments like the PHED, Power, Medical and Agri and allied sectors are more important that the rest. However, he pointed out, the effectiveness of the department depends on the response of the people.

The chief guest called upon the people gathered to spread the news of what they hear on the meeting about HIV and not be silent spectators. “Being silent is a crime,” he said. The MLA also said that prohibition may also be the source for the increasing HIV in the district and cited an example of the cost of liquor – liquor costing Rs.50 at Dimapur costs Rs.500 at Kiphire, which makes youngsters go for cheaper stuff, he said, and the ultimate option is drugs. The recent assembly, irrespective of parties, also favours lifting of prohibition, he added.

While encouraging the public, the MLA said, “Now that the ART centre is going to be established here; if you are suffering with HIV, go and get treated and not maintain equidistance like the Congress party with DAN,” while encouraging ASHA workers to be well-equipped to curb the disease. Sangtam also assured the gathering that he would discuss the matter in the Assembly and asked the NGOs and departments working for the welfare of the people to work with dedication and not for funds alone.

Project Director of NSACS, Dr. Neiphi Kire, while giving the keynote address, stressed that Kiphire is on the ‘high risk zone’ with statistics showing 3.5%. Urging the gathering to work together to curb HIV, he also advised them not to discriminate the PLHIV, and to let the positive people to come out and freely discuss the status so as to curb the disease.

The Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire, who also spoke on the occasion, said “we listen patiently but forget when we go home”. He also asked the department to upgrade the District Hospital in Kiphire, which was constructed in 1985.

An HIV positive individual from Tuensang district gave her testimony and pointed out that HIV cannot be spread by touching, further asking the gathering not to discriminate HIV patients but rather encourage them to live positively.

Dr. Bernis, Jt. Director (TI), informed that in the year 2008, 79% of HIV cases were through the sexual route. Therefore, he informed, condoms are being issued and there are 54 such projects established across the state, with 15 of them under the Gates Foundation and 39 under NSACS. Dr. Limakum, Jt. Director (B/S), also dealt at length on the prevailing situation of HIV. Dr. Tia Jamir, MS, also gave the statistics on the HIV status in Kiphire, during the programme chaired by Dr. I Sungit.