“If we do not take HIV/AIDS seriously, we are going to face a huge catastrophe in a few years time”. In a deep and compassionate conviction, the acting president of Naga Hoho, Keviletuo Kewhuo lamented the fact that the huge bill boards and write ups about HIV/AIDS is having little impact in the lives of the common men. He went on to say that what we know about HIV is very small compared to what the actual HIV situation is in the land. He advised that people at the village level learn by interactions, not by posters and papers. ‘We must ensure that information is accessible to everybody at all levels and that everyone is engaged in critical dialogue around the issue. In order to do that, we must share resources equally’. He is of the opinion that HIV programs should not be centralized. It needs to be shared amongst all the stakeholders. ‘Everybody has a right to know everything about HIV and AIDS and its related issues and that is the only way to protect our community from the virus’, he said.
Acknowledging the extensive role of Church and NGOs in HIV/AIDS intervention, Kevi said that ‘without the active participation of these institutions, we could have not come to this level of understanding and intervention’. He feels very strongly about the role of Church as the crucial one – because ‘every one of us are part of the church from birth to death’. ‘It is the most powerful platform that can influence the mindset and lifestyle of young people, and therefore, the church must become liberal in its approach to issues such as HIV/AIDS and enable a process of open discussion’. He went on to say that ‘people need to be given options and freedom to choose, not strict guidelines and rules’. He feels that sex and sexuality must be openly discussed and young people must be empowered to make the right and safe choice.
‘We must recognize that drug addiction, alcoholism and sexual promiscuity are a growing problem in our society’, and ‘that is why, we have to talk about these things openly and do everything possible to prevent HIV infection through those means’. ‘Condoms must be freely and openly available. People must have easy accessibility to these services. Giving needles and syringes to addicts is important so that they do not share needles but most addicts will not go to NGOs to get needles everyday’. So we must ‘ensure that all drug addicts know everything about HIV/AIDS and that they will be convinced about the importance of using clean and new syringes and needles’. ‘When they know the need to protect themselves from HIV and when they know they will not be condemned for carrying a syringe, then they will go to buy them in pharmacies’. He thinks that most Addicts are afraid to buy needles and syringes because they know they will be suspected and condemned. ‘Stigma against addiction is a big problem here. These people need help. They cannot do it themselves. We must ensure that they have access to all services including rehabilitation and treatment’.
He went to say that alcoholics are more vulnerable to HIV than addicts and that there are more alcoholics than drug addicts. He said, ‘alcohol is freely available and there are many people who do not know how to use alcohol safely’. He is of the opinion that ‘HIV infection amongst alcoholics may be even higher than Drug users’, ‘because when you are drunk, what protection will you care to take?’ he asked.
‘People living with HIV have a right to live like any one of us’ and ‘the only way we can ensure their safety is to create a caring system’. ‘When we empower them and give them a dignity to live, we can be sure HIV is under control. When we stigmatize and condemn, HIV will go underground and spread like wild fire’. He expressed deep concern that there is stigma even in health care sectors and he went on to suggest that we must create separate hospitals for HIV affected people ‘where there is no stigma but total acceptance and vibrant services’. ‘The existing health care services are too weak to cater to the need of HIV affected people’, he added. But if creating a separate hospital will mean isolating them and thus stigmatizing than we may have to find a better alternative. ‘My opinion is that they need very good health care services and our present hospitals cannot provide that’. ‘People Living with HIV must demand all the services and become active members in HIV programs’.
Talking about women and HIV/AIDS, the president is of the opinion that women are much more sensitive and aware of HIV/AIDS and its related problems. ‘Because of existing prejudice and lack of visionary leadership in policy making, women’s voice is seldom heard and their participation is minimal’. ‘If we are to do an aggressive intervention, women and women’s issues should top our priority list’, he said.
“Naga hoho is very concern about HIV and AIDS. We worry about those who don’t have access to information and education –particularly those living in rural areas. We also worry about our Arm Resistant Movement cadres or national workers who are constantly on a move from place to place and live a very vulnerable life. These people also have a right to protect themselves. We must ensure that our intervention programs reach them”, he added.
‘Naga hoho is seriously considering having a HIV/AIDS committee to work in collaboration with NGOs. We have also started talking about HIV in platforms given to us and we feel strongly about the need to have a declaration and policy on the issue’. ‘If we Nagas don’t take this issue seriously, we will pay a huge price for it’, he warned.
A Special News Report of The Morung Express
