Imtinaro Longkumer
Kohima | November 24
In order to work towards improving the overall quality of life of the PLHA community in Nagaland, the Network of Naga People Living with HIV/AIDS (NNP+) is all set to organize a 3 day PLHA convention here from November 29. Being sponsored by the Constella Futures Group, Project Orchid and Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) for the first time in Nagaland, the convention will take place at the Jubilee Memorial Conference, Lerie Colony, Kohima under the theme “Together We Can”.
“Such an initiative will move the larger society towards diminishing the stigma which continues to surround HIV/AIDS and enable people to come openly for testing and other services,” said NSACS project director Dr. Neiphi Kire in a media note released during press conference here today.
Project ORCHID, state coordinator David Humtsoe stated that the convention will open up doors for those who continued to remain hidden due to stigma, a factor which drives the epidemic. “This will open roads for others to come our and access services.”
NNP+ president Naomi Chophy informed media persons at the Central Café Kohima that the Kohima gathering of positive people from all over Nagaland will be a platform for PLHAs to share their experiences and move towards a common vision of empowerment. Expressing distress that the state has only 4 Anti Removal Therapy (ART) centers, Lanu said that the government should facilitate ART centers in all the districts and especially those people falling under Below Poverty Line.
“Though the government has provided free life prolonging medications such as Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART), statistics show only a few PLHA, around 300 access the services. This could be due to stigma or low treatment literacy,” he said. Also regretting that less number of people are coming forward to assist, he said “They should come together and share the problems they are having.”
The idea behind the convention is to create a platform for people to raise a common voice, and so as to promote the creation of an enabling PLHA environment by providing a forum of exposure and free expression, said NNP+ general secretary Lanu.
NNP+ recognizes the importance of the involvement of PLHAs and communities at risk while responding to HIV/AIDS. Elaborating on the concept of the convention, the NNP+ said “Besides helping the community and the PLHA by creating pathways toward involvement for effective containment of the epidemic, it will empower the PLHA community to come out and to help themselves and others in fighting the epidemic.”
The convention, to go on till November 30 and to be followed by observance of World AIDS Day on December 1, would seek to work towards improving overall quality of life of the PLHA community in Nagaland by giving a humane face to the epidemic, to increase the level of understanding and practices of GIPA and thereby bringing about effective coalition, linkages, networking etc, in the response to HIV/AIDS and to mobilize and generate increased-involvement of the affected communities in the state towards HIV/AIDS response.
The convention will witness participation from top government officials, key functionaries of Nagaland State AIDS Control Society and implementing partners, renowned social activities, doctors, defense personnel, senior journalists, pressure groups, students bodies, faith-based organization, human rights activities, NGOs and GOs working for PLHAs.
The agenda will include interface between PLHA, participants and stakeholders, seminars and consultations on various topics. There will be exhibits of handicrafts, art (drawing based in the theme) etc. The convention will culminate with the commemoration of World AIDS Day and the submission of positive declaration which is expected to focus on reaffirming commitment by policy makers for adopting the state policy on HIV/AIDS at the earliest. Further, a clearer understanding of implementation of the GIPA principle in the state by various stakeholders is expected to emerge.
