Dimapur, Sep 8 : The HIV/AIDS prevalence scenario in Nagaland continues to remain alarming with the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) detecting over 1,000 HIV positive cases in the first quarter of this year.
With this, the cumulative figure of HIV positive cases in Nagaland have touched over 10,000 since 1999. There have been 505 recorded AIDS related deaths and 1,898 are currently on ART treatment.
Interacting with this reporter, NSACS Project Director Dr Neiphi Kire termed the figures as alarming. While the State’s overall percentage has come down drastically, the situation in the commercial district of Dimapur refuses to stabilise, he further stated.
Dimapur alone accounts for least 150 new cases every month, a trend since 2009, a clearly worried Dr Kire said.
Emphasising on the need to bring about a paradigm shift in tackling the problem in the commercial hub, the reason that the State continues to record high statistics, Dr Kire informed that the department was organising a two-day integrated HIV programme for the district on September 19 and 20. NACO Director General is expected to participate in the programme along with other stakeholders including student organisations, NGOs and civil society leaders, he said.
The doctor also did not rule out the possibilities of the HIV positive figures further shooting up, stating that the department suspects at least 19,000 possible positive cases of which some 9,000 are yet to be reached.
The NSACS head also expressed concern over the growing figures in Kiphire district which, he said, has seen a sharp increase posting 23 positive cases in the first quarter of 2010 out of the 685 tested.
The Department has already earmarked and agreed on establishing one ART centre in Pungro sector. However, as per guidelines, the department has to await final clearance from NACO which will follow after the feasibility report.
The completion of the feasibility report by officials from the centre of excellence as per NACO guidelines is being awaited, the PD informed.
On stepping up measures to reach advocacy programmes to all sections of the society, especially the rural areas, Dr Kire said that the department has adopted a strategic change by engaging Inter-Personal-Communication (IPC) system.
“We engage women organisations of the respective tribes who reach out to the community members and villages. The department has already covered Kohima, Phek while others are underway,” he informed.
He was also of the opinion that the IPC format has been showing results with many women organisations now coming forward to work hand in hand with the department.
On high risk groups, the migrant population has been found to be the most sensitive, it was learnt. Realising the imperative need to map them, the NACO had reportedly carried out an exercise by engaging Sharon Agency.
The mapping, however, limited migrant population to an insignificant 2,000 to 3,000 in Dimapur when the actual number could be anywhere near 15,000 to a lot more, the NSACS Director regretted.
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