DIMAPUR, April 17 (MExN): In the ongoing effort to empower positive people and to facilitate space for their stories to be heard in the effort against HIV/AIDS, the Positive People Foundation (PPF) inaugurated here today their office at Purana Bazaar with Aküm Longchari, MD, The Morung Express, gracing the occasion as the chief guest and Fr. Chacko, Development Association of Nagaland, 4th Mile blessing it with dedicatory prayer.
The PPF serves as the first Drop-In-Centre (DIC) for positive women. “This is the first DIC for women living with HIV/AIDS,” said Abemo earlier while addressing the gathering. This, he said, has been initiated to create a space for people living with HIV/AIDS to address their needs and issues, especially for the womenfolk.
While highlighting some of the guidelines of the National Aids Control Organization (NACO) that states that the DIC’s should be run by the people living with HIV/AIDS, Abemo lamented over the fact that majority of the centers in Nagaland are not run by positive people.
The members of the PPF while interacting expressed their hope that NSACS would do justice and provide positive women with the resources they are entitled to through the newly acquired DIC.
Aküm lamented that the movement against HIV/AIDS became wholesome in the Naga context only after positive persons became actively involved. “In the earlier stages the HIV/AIDS issue was primarily technical and mechanical, it was through the intervention and pro-active initiatives of positive persons, that the struggle against HIV/AIDS acquired a human dimension, in which the issue was no longer one of health care, but an issue that brought into perspective the question of human security,” he said. While cautioning the NGOization of HIV/AIDS, Aküm emphasized the need for various initiatives against HIV/AIDS to come together into a movement. He urged the need for the HIV/AIDS campaign to be guided by reason and conscience while drawing hope and wisdom from the stories and experiences of positive persons.
The inaugural function was chaired by Lima while WC Humtose of Bethesda and Alemla of DDAC also extended their support and solidarity to PPF. The vote of thanks was articulated by Darshim. The benediction was pronounced by Abel.
To reduce the stigma and the discrimination in the society by creating the sense of belonging with the fellow PLHA the organization was established in February 2005 by a few positive people, and presently there are together 60 members.
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