KOHIMA: With an aim to de-mystify HIV and AIDS, a state-level multi-media awareness campaign involving the youth was launched here on Friday
The Multi-Media Campaign (MMC)-A Red Ribbon Super Star Campaign 2011-12, launched by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), comprises four components, namely, awareness through inter personal communication (IPC), awareness through sports, awareness through music and awareness through festival.
Speaking on the occasion, commissioner and secretary for Health and Family Welfare, Menukhol John said that the main objectives of the campaign for 2011-12 are to ensure greater visibility of the issues revolving HIV and AIDS, to encourage safe and responsible behaviour among the youth, reduce the level of stigma and discrimination by de-mystifying the disease, promote HIV/AIDS related services and to increase general awareness about the epidemic.
Nagaland is one among the six high HIV/AIDS prevalence states in the country and studies show that misconception, stigma and discrimination centering the disease are still prevailing at large in the society.
The commissioner informed that under awareness through music, the key message would be “AIDS is our problem. We Care” where the district-level competitions would kick off from Kohima by September 10, 2011 and the district winners would compete against each other at the state level grand finale at Dimapur on October 15, 2011.
Under awareness through sports, the NSACS would spread the message by partnering with the organisers of the football tournaments such as Classic Cup, 12th Martyrs Cup, Noke Trophy, Royal Gold Cup and T-20 cricket tournament. This programme will kick off from August 18, 2011.The IPC will be conducted among Pochury, Phom, Chang and Sangtam Women Organisations while awareness through festivals will involve various activities, including of IEC stalls, which would help in disseminating the message of HIV and AIDS, mobilisation of Red Ribbon Clubs in all the districts and printing of Christmas cards , he informed. (PTI)
