NSACS Project Director Dr Ahu Sekhose with others during press conference held in Kohima on August 11. (Morung Photo)
To spread awareness on HIV prevention and control
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 11
The Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) today made a fervent appeal to all the concerned agencies and individuals to extend their support toward its Intensified IEC Campaign 2025 on HIV & STIs prevention and control, starting from August 12.
The launching programme of this two-month Intensified IEC Campaign 2.0 will coincide with International Youth Day on August 12.
It will be held under the aegis of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GoI to enhance the knowledge levels of general population and equip masses with information about HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) across the country,
NSACS Project Director Dr Ahu Sekhose told the press conference here today at NSACS Conference Hall, Kohima in the presence of Dr Zaiwang Zeliang, Joint Director (Care Support & Treatment), Dr Longoi-Joint Director (STI & DISHA), Metevinuo Sakhrie, Joint Director (IEC) and Dr Bernice Dzuvichu, Joint. Director (Prevention).
The campaign, to continue till October 12, aims to reach out to a large number of villagers and individuals with information related to prevention and control of HIV as well as address stigma and discrimination associated with HIV & STIs.
Based on the experience and success of the campaign, the 2nd edition of Intensified IEC Campaign 2025 is geared to raise awareness about HIV among the general population across the nation, according to NSACS.
This year, the campaign would seek to promote awareness about the routes of transmission of HIV, promote literary on the HIV and AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act, 2017 to address stigma and discrimination towards people infected and affected by HIV & AIDs, to promote awareness of HIV and Syphilis among pregnant women/ANC attendees, to create demand for services such as testing for HIV, condom, STI services and promote other services under NACP including the National AIDS Toll- free Helpline 1097 and to strengthen collaboration between various government departments at state, district, block and village level administration to promote awareness regarding HIV & STIs
Launching programme in Kohima on Aug 12
In Kohima, the launching programme will take place NBCC Convention Centre, Kohima on August 12 from 11:00 AM onwards.
Dr Sekhose said that about 3400 students are expected to turn up for the launching program.
Several activities have been planned in coordination with various departments and organisations such as; play and win games/activities by NSACS, The Birds and the Bees talk, Plan India, School Education Department, SDG- Department of Planning & Transformation, Nagaland.
It would also witness launch of campaign theme song 'HIV Li' by Tetseo Sisters, Meet and greet the Influencers: Moko Kota, Akavi, Tetsco Sisters, Hikali Achumi, Rovi Metha, HIV Counselling and testing facility, chat with PLHIV and Drug Users community by NNagaDao and Nagaland Network of People Living with HIV (NNP+), Mural painting, Selfie points etc.
The NSACS appealed all district administrations, line departments, village councils, community leaders, school and college authorities, NGOs, Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) and youth organisations to come forward and extend their active cooperation in ensuring the success of this Intensified IEC Campaign 2025.
520 villages identified for grass root level campaign activities
In 2024, the campaign covered 789 villages, 107 colleges and 518 schools in Nagaland.
It has conducted 410 special testing camps, 11 folk performance and 50 flash mob activities.
The campaign reached out to 1, 15, 541 people with 24, 404 IEC materials.
In Nagaland, this year, the remaining uncovered villages in 2024 along with some priority villages will be covered.
A total of 520 villages have been identified across all 17 districts for grass root level campaign activities.
The key activities for Intensified IEC campaign will includes; village level meetings, school awareness programmes, college level awareness, special HIV & STI testing and counselling camps at government hospitals, awareness bike rallies, folk performances and Flash mobs by Red Ribbon Club members and IEC material dissemination through Door-to-Door activities.
The eight weeks social media campaign will focus on routes of transmission & prevention strategies, myths and misconceptions, risk perception and promotion of services, promotion of National Toll Free AIDS Helpline, condom promotion & safe sexual behaviours, STI prevention & treatment, substance use and drug abuse, stigma and discrimination.
