41% of the HIV positive cases in Nagaland are reportedly between the age group of 25 to 45 years, considered as the most productive phase of life. (Image Courtesy: pixabay.com)
Webinar on ‘Relearning HIV during COVID- 19 Pandemic’ held
Kohima, August 30 (MExN): The Family Planning Association of India (FPAI), Nagaland Branch organized a webinar on the topic ‘Relearning HIV during COVID- 19 Pandemic’ on August 28.
According to data shared by resource person Ketho Angami, President ARK Foundation Association, 41% of the HIV positive cases in Nagaland are between the age group of 25 to 45 years which is considered as the most productive phase of life.
With Northeast being the epicenter of HIV in India, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram have been competitive in the race of increased HIV positive cases, he added.
Ketho also informed that Injecting Drug Users (IDU) are being tagged as the key people infected with HIV He also added that majority of the cases have been linked to sexual route, which was recorded based on the surveys conducted in Nagaland.
“Today the system is hampered with the emergence COVID-19 Pandemic which is affecting the services for the existing diseases,” he said.
In his opening remark, Ketho has stated that any individual, irrespective of their ailment, should not be denied access to services as guaranteed in Article 21 (Right to life). In this regard, he said that the government is obliged to give access to those services.
He narrated a brief history on the detection of the first HIV positive case in Nagaland that was detected in Kohima and reported by the Indian Council of Medical Science and Research.
He added that though national program for HIV was launched, the implementation in Nagaland was somehow delayed. However like-minded people and civil societies initiated various programmes related to HIV.
Despite the leaders expressing their thoughts on working together, it is important to collectively deliberate and bring practical solution to the prevailing situation, he reasoned.
In his concluding remarks, Ketho opined that youths play an important role to bring positive changes in the society. Schools and colleges are very supportive so far, he said, while encouraging the youths to raise their voices on the existing policies and programmes for accountability.
He said that the Churches should join hands in sensitizing about HIV to end stigma and discrimination. He also sought their participation in providing assistance to people living with HIV along with other NGOs and Departments working for the same, and to evaluate the existing implementation of various programmes related to HIV.
The programme was moderated by Akangkokla Namo, Programme officer of FPAI, Nagaland Branch.
