SHILLONG, Dec 1: A clarion call was made to change the way people view HIV and those living with disease, on Thursday as Meghalaya observed the World AIDS Day at a programme here.
Based on the theme ‘Equalize’, the programme aimed to bring people together and unite them to show support for people living with HIV and to remember the ones who lost their lives from AIDS-related illnesses.
The ‘Equalize’ slogan is a call to action — a prompt for all to work for the proven practical actions needed to address inequalities and help end AIDS. The inequalities which perpetuate the AIDS pandemic are not inevitable and can be tackled.
The event was organised by the office of the Meghalaya AIDS Control, Society, Health and Family Welfare department, in collaboration with Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority and District Legal Services Authority, Shillong.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Principal Secretary Health Sampath Kumar said, “We need to be proactive in our support to bring about a change in attitude towards HIV and for the people living with HIV. Issues and challenges related to stigma and discrimination must be addressed by all communities so as to ensure we reach that path of equality.”
He also said that teenage pregnancy is very much prevalent in the state, adding that the risk of being infected with HIV among them is high.
He urged all communities to create more awareness to safeguard the youths from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
In her address, Chief Judicial Magistrate Assistant District and Sessions Judge, and Secretary, DLSA, NI Dkhar, stressed on the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017 and shed light on the importance of knowing legal rights and tackle HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
Giving the welcome address, project director of MACS, Dr B Decruse, while deliberating on the significance of the day, said Meghalaya is one of the states in India with increasing trend of new HIV infection.
“Adult HIV prevalence rate in our state is at 0.42% which is higher than the national average which stands at 0.21%. An estimated number of persons living with HIV is 8692, out of those 4996 know their status, 3718 are on Antiretroviral Treatment (ART), 2,356 are virally suppressed,” she said.
One Z Sangma, who was diagnosed with HIV on December 29, 2019, sharing his testimony during the occasion, applauded the healthcare providers from ICTC, NEIGRIHMS and also the members of the Meghalaya State Network of Positive People for their support through which he was able to overcome the difficulties and challenges faced and finally able to accept his status. “I have come to a stage whereby I am virally suppressed and I am now healthy because I take ART regularly”.
Further, Sangma urged the people who do not know their status to get themselves tested at ICTC, and even if found positive, to step forward and take ART regularly.
As part of the observation, various centers, NGOs, institutes, etc. were felicitated for their fight against HIV, while placards with messages prepared by students were displayed, and various artists performed on HIV theme song sung by the band LYNX, who are also the brand ambassador of HIV and AIDS programme. Another highlight of the programme was the release of a video titled ‘Rangli’ produced by S Sun, a staff of ART Jowai.
