AIDS Crisis in Nagaland

[Guest guest]

Dear Colleagues,

Urgent Capacity Building is Need!

Is Nagaland heading for bad to worse? The arithmetic of HIV prevalence signifies

an inclement weather!

HIV/AIDS Since 1994

Number of HIV positive cases: 1263

Total blood Screened: 24,735

Total AIDS cases: 284 [males-187 (65.8%) & females-97 (34.2%)]

Total AIDS related deaths: 98

Prevalence rate: 1.25

Prevalence rate among pregnant women: <1.0

Age & Sex distribution of AIDS cases since 1994:

85% of the cases are in the age group of 15- 40yrs and 9.1% below 5yrs.

(Nagaland State AIDS Control Society NSACS)

It is rather a weary understanding that the state is lagging far behind at all

developmental planes. What causes for this imbroglio? One needn’t do much

research on this for it is self explanatory from the programme delivery point of

view, especially with HIV/AIDS programmes. There is lack of professionalism and

pragmatism at planning, monitoring and evaluation (PME) planes. There is no

wonder if Nagaland makes incursions to grab the throne of HIV capital of the

country. As you all know, Nagaland is facing the twin blade threat of HIV

infection from intravenous drug use (IDUs) and heterosexual routes.

Even now, umpteen number of potential risk groups are left without care and

ministering. One cannot underplay the burning situation of the state with an

easy mindset.

Both implementers and the donors often undermine the training needs of field

staffs. All are interested to see programmes pulling on someway or the other!

For some agencies, programme implementation is a murky deal or an up-hill task!

In a better way, struggling for understanding the essence of target intervention

programme! Tough not intentional, this ineptitude is a stumbling block on the

way of HIV/AIDS projects to progress naturally and make the desired Behaviour

Change (BC) among the reference group. Nobody is a born professional and I think

it’s an art of building one’s skills and knowledge brick by brick. A

favourable environment is needed - the one charged with busy capacity building

programmes. Given a chance, Naga social workers can really excel. And there

would be bracing effects at the programme delivery planes.

The training needs are mainly in the areas of:

1. Programme management-design, planning and implementation, system development

etc

2. Therapeutic (programme/target specific) Counselling- risk assessment, risk

reduction, pre-test and post test, health care etc,

3. Development of situation specific IEC,

4. Participatory empowerment methods and research & TOT programme.

This write-up is only a plea to those trainers who are willing to come down to

Nagaland or extend training invitation and contribute something to revamp the

HIV/AIDS intervention programmes. Of course, you may not have corporate

facilities out here but be certain of homely love and warmth. The Naga family is

like that!

Expecting encouraging responses

Baburaj

Akimbo Society, P.B. No - 423, Dimapur - 797 112, Nagaland,

E-mail: baburajvc@...