NE AIDS conclave begins in Kohima

Kohima, September 3, 2014: The second NE conclave on HIV-AIDS being held here is focusing on prevention, discussion and analysis of HIV/AIDS scenario in the region. In his address on the inaugural day today, Nagaland Additional Chief Secretary CJ Ponraj said HIV patients were ill-treated when it was first discovered in 1989 because of ignorance.

However, people have come a long way and the WHO, CDC, NACO and others were doing commendable job in creating awareness and halting the march of HIV, he said. Success in combating HIV was not uniform, since even in India there had been decline in HIV infections in Tamil Nadu and some other States, but not so in the North East, he said.

Country Director, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, India, Dr Pauline Harvey said the periodic conclaves would help in tackling the growth of HIV, while stressing on the need for developing a separate strategy for the Northeastern States. The conclave would conclude on September 5.

Source: Assam Tribune