HILLONG: A one-day State-level sensitization training programme on mainstreaming and partnership on HIV/ AIDS for traditional healers and members of SPIKAP of Meghalaya, was recently organised in the city by Meghalaya AIDS Control Society in collaboration with the Nongkrem Youth Development Association (NYDA) and the Society for Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and Practice (SPIKAP).
71 traditional healers from 36 villages of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, East and West Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi districts attended the programme.
The traditional healers represented 12 C&RD Blocks of Mawshynrut, Mawryngkneng, Mawkynrew, Mylliem, Mawphlang, Unsning, Umling, Mawkyrwat, Nongstoin, Mawsynram, Sohra, Thadlaskien and Pynursla.
The meeting was inaugurated by Co-Chairman of the Meghalaya State Planning Board and Chairman of SPIKAP, John F Kharshiing, in the presence of Dr (Mrs) E. Chyne, Project Director of the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society, Shillong.The main objective of the programme was to sensitize traditional healers with influence in the community on the basic facts of HIV/ AIDS, myths and misconception over HIV/ AIDS, stigma and discrimination on PLHIVs, available services on counselling, testing and treatment of HIV and other related issues, universal precaution and HIV and management of Sexually Transmitted Infections and referrals to Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres in Meghalaya.
Addressing the gathering, Kharshiing urged the traditional healers to make all out efforts to spread this information in their respective areas and villages. He reminded the traditional healers about the message of former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, when he met a delegation of 20 healers from Meghalaya in June, 2003. Dr Kalam had urged the traditional healers to use modern science to promote and enhance traditional knowledge.
He also urged them to ensure that they send information and refer such cases to the MACS so that they can provide valuable and important guidance and counseling to the infected individuals. The meeting was also attended by members of Nongkrem Youth Development Association and the Programme Officers of MACS, besides others.