Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 10
In spite of the intensive campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS, involving several organizations, Nagaland is now placed at second in terms of HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, next to Manipur, and may top the list in a few years time, according to the NACO’s report.
Manipur still tops the list, however, there is cause for worry as Nagaland is likely to overtake its southern neighbor within a few years time, unless more effective combative strategies are adopted, according to NGOs working on HIV/AIDS.
David Khing of the Kuknalim Foundation, who is deeply involved in HIV/AIDS related issue said although huge amount of money are being spend to combat the disease, infection rate in Nagaland is growing at an alarming proportion.
“What we are doing at present is only beating around the bush. We need to change our strategy and perfunctory dealing, just for the sake of money will not help”, David said, and added that the issue is very serious.
What is more surprising is that in spite all the efforts by so many organizations, including the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), there has been an uncontrolled increases in transmission rate.
Moreover, stigma and social discrimination still continues at different levels. “The issue is very serious now”, echoes David.
According to a report made available by Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center, out of 56, 552 blood sample screen between 1994 - March 2006, 3542 has been tested positive. And the full blown AIDS cases are 991.
Official report also said that there has been 320 (283 adults, 37 children) AIDS related deaths in Nagaland so far, out of which 187 are males, and 129 are females.
According to the latest official reports, the over-all prevalent rates in the state is 1.60 %, where 60.3% are male, 38.4% female and 0.96% children and is the second highest HIV/AIDS prevalent state in the entire country.
Initially, the main mode of transmission was the intravenous drug users, but presently infection rate has drastically fallen amongst these people. Now most of the HIV infection is charted through the sexual mode, especially amongst the age group of 22-45 years.
Amongst the regular visitors to sexually transmitted disease clinic, HIV cases have soared up from 1.72% earlier to 3.48% now as per the official report produced in April last.
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