Kohima | July 14 : Pleased by scaling down of HIV prevalence rate in Nagaland, the need to put more efforts to further reduce the prevalence rate have been strongly felt at the consultative meeting of Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA)- Nagaland with Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) and NGOs held here today at the Conference Hall of Assembly Secretariat. HIV prevalence rate in Nagaland has come down to 0.78% since December 2010 from that of 1.27% till October 2010.
Consultative meeting call for reducing AIDS prevalence rate in Nagaland
Appreciating the efforts of NGOs and NSACS in creating adequate awareness to combat HIV and AIDS and minimizing the prevalence rate, Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Deputy Speaker Ralanthung Yanthan said “We have to maintain this (prevalence rate- 0.78%) for 3 years and if we crossed one percent something must be wrong.”
“We should try to further reduce the prevalence rate to contain HIV,” he added. Stating that better coordination is required, he also stressed on the need to build better understanding among the working groups and also to promote supporting system.
We have to do a lot to educate not only the affected people but the general public, Yanthan said. Highlighting some activities of LFA Nagaland, he said that Mizoram and Assam have replicated the state in formation of legislator forum on AIDS in their respective state. He stated that LFA will continue even in the days to come and help the NGOs. “We are here for common cause,” said parliamentary secretary for law & justice Yitachu and further stressed on the need to build closer relationship and to support one another.
He said another round of sitting will be initiated, and the LFA will attend to the proposals and suggestions put forward by NGOs. “We are committed towards this problem. Let us trust one another,” he said adding that AIDS is a major problem which cannot be solved easily, for which coordinated efforts is required to combat the menace. Another legislator W. Kithan said “We have political will to solve HIV/AIDS problem.”
MLA Joshua Sumi stated that in the case of bogus also they were accessing the fund, which he said discouraged the genuine NGOs who are really working on AIDS. In this, he opined that certain channel be framed so that the genuine NGOs gets benefit. Chairing the consultative meeting, MLA Dr. Nicky Kire said the LFA will have separate meeting and see what best can be done to redress the various issues raised by NGOs.
He viewed that the consultative meeting be held more frequently to know each other’s activities better.
Commissioner & Secretary for health & family welfare Menukhol John in his power point presentation stressed on the need to continue to put collective effort to reverse the prevalence rate of HIV in the state.
The commissioner & secretary said that as per the report of AIDS case surveillance since 1994-June 2011, 3933 AIDS case was reported of which 2141 belong to male and 1792 female. AIDS related death is 552, out of which 280 are male, 220 female and 52 children.
Heterosexual with 87% topped the route of HIV transmission (2010-11), followed by PPTCT 5%, infected N/S- 4%, homosexual 2%, not specified 2 % and through blood 0%. Age distribution of HIV+ case 2006-11 is as follows; 25- 49 years- 74%, 15-24 years- 16%, 14 years- 7%, 50 years- 3% and not specified- 0%.
Dr. Vinito L. Chishi, state programme coordinator, LFA informed the meeting that AIDS Bill is likely to be passed next month. Stating that the 3rd phase of National AIDS Control programme is about to end, Khriebu Nakhro, president, N-Naga DAO requested the legislators to write to the NACO to take some recommendation of NGOs into consideration while finalizing the plan for the next phase,
Stating that there is little flexibility in NACO guidelines, he requested the legislators to impress upon NACO for ensuring flexibility. He said some guidelines are not relevant to the state.
Referring to delay in passing AIDS Bill, Nakhro opined that if this Bill is passed all issues could be addressed and asked the legislators to write to the Health Ministry to push up the matter at the earliest.
The NGOs are to ensure quality service, Nakhro said. He however said the salary is low if look into account of the nature of the work.
He also stated that it would be good if LFA can support those children affected by HIV which is not covered by NSACS and NGOs partners.
Nakhro also requested the LFA to set aside some percentage of amount for innovative projects and also recognize those NGOs/individuals who are committed towards HIV/AIDS problem.
Abou Mere, director, Kripa Foundation, Nagaland requested the legislators to provide political leadership to address the problem of HIV.
Stating that there are only 5 rehabilitation center in the state, he said more treatment centre is needed in the state.
He also viewed that the fund allocation to legislators pertaining to AIDS problem be enhanced by the state government to increase the volume of its activities.
Minister for PHE Dr. Nganshi K. Ao, MLAs Kipili Sangtam, CL John and Heno also present at the consultative meeting.
Mentionably, the LFA- Nagaland has entered the forth year of its active function with the involvement of elected members. So far, LFA covered 50 constituencies apart from other important international meetings and programmes both at the state level and district level.
Consultative meeting call for reducing AIDS prevalence rate in Nagaland
Appreciating the efforts of NGOs and NSACS in creating adequate awareness to combat HIV and AIDS and minimizing the prevalence rate, Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Deputy Speaker Ralanthung Yanthan said “We have to maintain this (prevalence rate- 0.78%) for 3 years and if we crossed one percent something must be wrong.”
“We should try to further reduce the prevalence rate to contain HIV,” he added. Stating that better coordination is required, he also stressed on the need to build better understanding among the working groups and also to promote supporting system.
We have to do a lot to educate not only the affected people but the general public, Yanthan said. Highlighting some activities of LFA Nagaland, he said that Mizoram and Assam have replicated the state in formation of legislator forum on AIDS in their respective state. He stated that LFA will continue even in the days to come and help the NGOs. “We are here for common cause,” said parliamentary secretary for law & justice Yitachu and further stressed on the need to build closer relationship and to support one another.
He said another round of sitting will be initiated, and the LFA will attend to the proposals and suggestions put forward by NGOs. “We are committed towards this problem. Let us trust one another,” he said adding that AIDS is a major problem which cannot be solved easily, for which coordinated efforts is required to combat the menace. Another legislator W. Kithan said “We have political will to solve HIV/AIDS problem.”
MLA Joshua Sumi stated that in the case of bogus also they were accessing the fund, which he said discouraged the genuine NGOs who are really working on AIDS. In this, he opined that certain channel be framed so that the genuine NGOs gets benefit. Chairing the consultative meeting, MLA Dr. Nicky Kire said the LFA will have separate meeting and see what best can be done to redress the various issues raised by NGOs.
He viewed that the consultative meeting be held more frequently to know each other’s activities better.
Commissioner & Secretary for health & family welfare Menukhol John in his power point presentation stressed on the need to continue to put collective effort to reverse the prevalence rate of HIV in the state.
The commissioner & secretary said that as per the report of AIDS case surveillance since 1994-June 2011, 3933 AIDS case was reported of which 2141 belong to male and 1792 female. AIDS related death is 552, out of which 280 are male, 220 female and 52 children.
Heterosexual with 87% topped the route of HIV transmission (2010-11), followed by PPTCT 5%, infected N/S- 4%, homosexual 2%, not specified 2 % and through blood 0%. Age distribution of HIV+ case 2006-11 is as follows; 25- 49 years- 74%, 15-24 years- 16%, 14 years- 7%, 50 years- 3% and not specified- 0%.
Dr. Vinito L. Chishi, state programme coordinator, LFA informed the meeting that AIDS Bill is likely to be passed next month. Stating that the 3rd phase of National AIDS Control programme is about to end, Khriebu Nakhro, president, N-Naga DAO requested the legislators to write to the NACO to take some recommendation of NGOs into consideration while finalizing the plan for the next phase,
Stating that there is little flexibility in NACO guidelines, he requested the legislators to impress upon NACO for ensuring flexibility. He said some guidelines are not relevant to the state.
Referring to delay in passing AIDS Bill, Nakhro opined that if this Bill is passed all issues could be addressed and asked the legislators to write to the Health Ministry to push up the matter at the earliest.
The NGOs are to ensure quality service, Nakhro said. He however said the salary is low if look into account of the nature of the work.
He also stated that it would be good if LFA can support those children affected by HIV which is not covered by NSACS and NGOs partners.
Nakhro also requested the LFA to set aside some percentage of amount for innovative projects and also recognize those NGOs/individuals who are committed towards HIV/AIDS problem.
Abou Mere, director, Kripa Foundation, Nagaland requested the legislators to provide political leadership to address the problem of HIV.
Stating that there are only 5 rehabilitation center in the state, he said more treatment centre is needed in the state.
He also viewed that the fund allocation to legislators pertaining to AIDS problem be enhanced by the state government to increase the volume of its activities.
Minister for PHE Dr. Nganshi K. Ao, MLAs Kipili Sangtam, CL John and Heno also present at the consultative meeting.
Mentionably, the LFA- Nagaland has entered the forth year of its active function with the involvement of elected members. So far, LFA covered 50 constituencies apart from other important international meetings and programmes both at the state level and district level.
