Arunachal joins anti-HIV campaign

Itanagar, Aug 20: Breaking the prevailing stigma against HIV and AIDS, the state today (Aug 20) joined the anti-HIV campaign with the formation of a 14-member Arunachal Network of Positive People (ArNP).

ArNP General Secretary Yumrin Nokpa disclosed how he had to face societal bar after being detected HIV+ while introducing himself during the day-long state level media advocacy on HIV/AIDS .

"HIV positive was detected first in my wife and on further tests, it was confirmed about the presence of the virus in my body," Yumrin revealed.

The meet was organized by Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) here. Yumrin, a married youth from Laju village in Tirap district, said hiding the very fact about infection will neither help oneself nor the society.

Calling upon other diagnosed HIV positives to join ArNP+ to make a difference in their lives and contribute towards preventing the disease, he asked the health department to post doctors immediately at ARTC, headed by medicine specialist Dr Taw Kaki, of Arunachal State Hospital.

The state has 178 identified HIV people with only about 1.6 lakh of its over 11 lakh population having undergone blood screening, APSACS Project Director Dr Emi Rumi said.

Of the 178 affected people, 158 belong to the most productive age groups of 22-44 years with 62 males and 37 females besides 49 males and 10 females in the age group of 30-44 years, Rumi said.

PTI