Nagaland: Integrated health campaign for at-risk population in 2 districts launched

Dimapur: The Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) launched a two-month-long integrated health campaign in Chumoukedima and Niuland districts on Wednesday as part of its programme to provide free health services to at-risk populations in priority districts in the state.

The campaign launched at Chumoukedima and Niuland DC’s offices will also cover all pockets of adjoining districts.

The NSACs will provide packages of services in counselling, screening of TB, HIV, syphilis, HBV, HCV testing, diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, anaemia and any other services as per local needs.

Speaking at the launching programme at Chumoukedima, ADC Dr Kuzonyi Wideo said Chumoukedima, being a new district, needs an institution-based set-up of the chief medical officer’s office to carry out the implementation of the campaign.

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He requested civil societies, NGOs and tribal councils to disseminate the information to the local people and create awareness campaign, as most of the people are unaware of the facilities.

During his keynote address, NSACS project director Dr Ahu Sekhose pointed out that though the campaign is a tailored strategy for all the states in India, it is basically targeted in the Northeast.

“This exercise is classified in targeted places where there are substantial numbers of pathological people,” he said.

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Launching the programme in her office, Niuland deputy commissioner Sara S Jamir said if society and nation are to grow, it needs healthy citizens and to have healthy citizens, proper healthcare facilities are needed.

She said Niuland, being a newly created district, does not have a district hospital. The DC requested the stakeholders, especially medical officials, to reach out to the unreached pockets of the district, saying only then the objective of the campaign will be successful.

On HIV/AIDS and TB problems, Jamir said stigma and discrimination are more harmful than the disease. She urged the department concerned to conduct an intensive awareness camp in the district.