Over 500 AIDS related deaths in Nagaland

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Over 500 AIDS related deaths in Nagaland

Newmai News Network Imphal | September 6 : Reports in various Nagaland based

newspapers said that the state of Nagaland has reportedly seen around 500

AIDS-related deaths so far, which has become a source of major concern for the

state.

The high number of AIDS-related deaths is indicative of the increasing

prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland which has been worrying the state,

particularly the people involved in the fight against the disease. These high

numbers of deaths spell more trouble as it is suspected to be largely due to

ignorance about HIV/AIDS which is believed to be still endemic among the people

of the state, especially in the rural areas.

According to reports in Nagaland based newspapers, the current statistics shows

that the number of infections of HIV has risen with 8369 people testing positive

in Nagaland. This means that 1.20% of the population is living with AIDS and it

takes the state to the six highest prevalence-rated states in India, thus coming

under the category of `high prevalence state'.

Currently, Dimapur has the highest number of people living with HIV in the state

with 1822 positive cases, which is 25% of its total population. With the issue

of HIV/AIDS confronting key stakeholders of the state, the Network of Positive

People in Nagaland, the Legislators Forum on AIDS and UN-AIDS took out an

advocacy campaign in Dimapur in the last part of August with civil society based

organizations and the church among others.

Throwing light on the issue, state coordinator of LFA-UNAIDS Dr. Vinito Chishi

said all efforts must be put in to bring down the prevalence rate below 1%. He

asserted that more advocacies are needed in the rural areas of the state. The

official called for greater participation of legislators in reaching out to the

rural people. He also said more monitoring has to be done in the urban areas,

especially Dimapur which has a very large floating population.

The NNP+ and UN-AIDS together with the legislators' forum sought to promote a

supportive environment through social mobilization and sensitization about HIV.

Overcoming stigma and discrimination was also highlighted. The campaign urged

more dialogue with the community, pointing out that `shame' has prevented many

positive people from seeking anti-retroviral treatment. The campaign also sought

to mobilize care and treatment from government and community through various

programmes and projects.

The legislators' forum joined the campaign with MLAs SI Jamir and I Imkong

assuring commitment of political leaders in the fight against AIDS. Both Jamir

and Imkong pledged more support and intervention in their own capacities. The

basic objective of the advocacy being to educate the masses, the stakeholders

advocated the use of condoms to prevent HIV. " Let us not be hypocrites anymore, "

MLA Imkong said and urged the church to be more responsible and open in

addressing the issue.

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