Abraham Lotha
New York | May 19
Nagaland is not new to HIV/AIDS. Statistics from 2005 indicated that there were 736 cases of AIDS in the state and that the number of HIV cases in the state formed 1.43% of all cases in the country. These numbers are alarming and even one case is a case too many.
In a recent study done by Nedan Foundation, an NGO, supported by UNDP, human trafficking was cited as a crucial cause for the spread of HIV in the state. Poverty and conflict are said to fuel trafficking in the northeastern states. Of Nagaland, the report revealed that “many of the girls had been trafficked from the Naga countryside with false promises of sales jobs in big cities.”
Perhaps a lot of initiatives are being taken by the state government and NGOs in the state to address the problem of HIV/AIDS in the state. Some medical practitioners have even resorted to ‘Kobraz’ (Quacks) or other traditional medicine. At the Agri-Expo, 2006 in Dimapur, Drs. Alwang and Haigwambe were even reported to have a drug that cure AIDS completely. Whether these claims are true or not, approaches to dealing with HIV/AIDS has to take local cultural contingencies into considerations.
It is in this connection that recommendations made by two NGOs, MADRE and CADPI to the Millennium Development Goals (goal number 6) has some relevance for Nagas to think about for tackling HIV/AIDS through the use of traditional medicine.
According to MADRE and CADPIA, considering that HIV/AIDS is a growing problem among Indigenous Peoples although its dimension is not widely considered because of the absence of disaggregated data collection. That, there is a lack of information about this disease, a perception by many that it is foreign to Indigenous communities.
That the presence of HIV AIDS in the communities has a more direct effect and violent impact on women and children. The following recommendations were made to the UNPFII at the Fifth Session:
1. Every health report related to HIV/AIDS prepared by the UN and governments should reflect the actual situation of IP in their communities worldwide. Therefore, the statistical systems should employ disaggregated data collection methodology.
2. Health services for Indigenous Peoples should be organized according to the cultural characteristics of indigenous peoples. HIV/AIDS services should be incorporated into all health services and at all stages of life especially in sexual and reproductive health programs. Health systems should promote the articulation of traditional medicines together with western medicines and practices.
3. International agencies and governments should encourage the production and distribution of generic drugs and make them available to indigenous peoples in their own communities.
4. The sexual and reproductive education programs should be included in school curricula and public health systems and services should include HIV/AIDS information and education in the local language and consistent with local cultural practices.
5. Document and widely disseminate the experiences of traditional medicines in the promotion, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
6. Support the formation of an international network of traditional healers who work with HIV/AIDS patients. Organize exchanges, expert meeting on HIV/AIDS and traditional medicine, discussion between traditional and western practitioners.
Could any of these recommendations be applicable to the Nagaland situation? In a fight against such a dooming threat by HIV/AIDS, any suggestions that will help to eradicate the problem should be welcomed.
Morung Express News
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