Tingplik Express

Kohima May 15 : Irrespective of party colors, legislators of the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly under the banner Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) today pressed on the need to expand its approach and put collective efforts into the fight against HIV/AIDS in the State. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated that the forum would try to see that HIV/AIDS is kept in the political agenda.

"We shall continue to address issues of stigma and discrimination, and support people with HIV and people orphaned by the AIDS epidemic,” Rio said while addressing the annual general meeting of the forum here this morning. Legislators’ Forum on AIDS was formed in 2003 to give political leadership and direction in the fight against the menace of AIDS. Rio, who is also the chief patron of the forum said that the State Council on AIDS, will be strengthened so that “we can review State HIV/AIDS policy to meet the challenge, develop comprehensive and coordinated response to the epidemic in the State, to have systematic monitoring of HIV/AIDS programme in place, to identify gaps and address them appropriately; to disseminate the correct information on HIV/AIDS; strengthen existing services and facilities, to mobilize resources from within the state to render it sustainable and affordable.”Nagaland is one among the six-high HIV prevalent states in the country. “When a state like ours is faced with HIV epidemic, which has the potential to destroy our economy, our family, our society and our race, we must not only put all efforts to stop further spread of HIV infection, we must take strategic steps to reverse the epidemic,” Rio said.In such an alarming situation, Rio said, it is necessary that a political leadership must come to the forefront to lead the fight against HIV epidemic. Rio also felt that legislators must cultivate a sense of ownership of the problem, and disseminate HIV messages to every section of the society.“As politicians, we have ample opportunities to address this issue in various platforms. It is our duty to educate the public as public leaders, till we begin to see behaviorial change among our people, especially amongst the youth of today,” Rio said.He also felt that it will be appropriate if all political parties can include HIV/AIDS issues in their political platforms, “as this has now become a development and social issues, rather than a mere health subject.”Also stressing on the need to evolve strategies for multi-sectoral approach and develop mechanism for effective co-ordination and monitoring system, Rio said “all departments must begin to incorporate HIV/AIDS issues and address them in their own departmental programmes.”He further pointed out the need to expand the outreach programme so that every individual becomes responsible and welcomed the International Agencies working in Nagaland like UNAIDS, UNDP, UNICEF, AUS-aid etc to work together for mutual support and co-ordination with common understanding in order to avoid duplication and overlapping of activities.He also appealed to everyone to cultivate a sense of ownership of HIV/AIDS problem, and to strive for providing collective leadership to back up the political leadership. He also challenged the legislators to demonstrate collective concern in a realistic and visible manner.“We can no longer ignore the fact that HIV/AIDS is not just a health issue but also a social- economic and developmental issue. This needs to be realized and acted upon by all concerned departments,” said minister for Health & Family Welfare Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu.He was hopeful that the Forum will be able to contain the epidemic with the active participation and cooperation from all the MLAs both ruling and opposition. Nienu, who is the Convenor of the Forum, suggested that HIV/AIDS issues should be included in all the party manifestoes and discuss the same thoroughly by all MLAs.“HIV/AIDS Policy which is still in the draft form needs to be brought out after wider consultations with the key people in the state,” he said adding that concern for increasing AIDS orphans need to be translated into action with compassion.Through power point presentation, Additional DG, NACO New Delhi, Jotna Sokhey spoke on issues including strategies under NACP, IEC focus, prevention of mother to child transmission, HIV/TB Anti retroviral therapy and access to safe blood.She stressed on the need to spread the message of preventive measures to the whole population.Stating that some special efforts need to be done as regard to HIV prevalence rate, she also felt on the need to put concerted effort to prevent new cases and give proper care and treatment to those who are infected. Highlighting the HIV/AIDS scenario in Nagaland, Dr. Neiphi Kire, Project Director, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society said the HIV prevalence rate in the state stands at 1.27 per cent. Total AIDS cases till March 2008 stands at 2091 (1187 male and 904 female). The total AIDS related deaths reported is 415. I. Imkong, Leader of Opposition NLA and also co-convenor of the Forum chaired the second session while State Co-ordinator, LFA, Dr. Vinito L. Chishi gave a brief report on LFA. NLA speaker Kiyaneilie Peseyie gave concluding remarks.