KHONSA, Apr 20: As part of Mission AIDS Suraksha, five districts—Tirap, East Siang, Namsai, Lower Dibang Valley, and Papum Pare—have been given top prominence due to their higher number of diagnosed HIV-positive cases.
This was divulged by District AIDS Control Officer (DACO) Dr Jayanti Thingnok during a district level coordination meeting on Mission AIDS Suraksha held today at the DC’s office conference hall, Khonsa.
Organized under the aegis of the District AIDS Control Society (DACS) under the National AIDS Control Programme, in coordination with the CARE ME HOME Targeted Intervention (TI) Project, Khonsa, the meeting, chaired by circle officer Dr Metung Taku, also witnessed Dr B Ratan, District Medical Officer (DMO); DACO; Sontung Lowang Bangsia, Chairperson of Care Me Home Welfare Society; ICTC staff from Khonsa and Deomali; and CARE ME HOME TI staff from Khonsa and Deomali, in attendance.
Initiating the discussion, the DACO briefed the participants on the objectives of the meeting under Mission AIDS Suraksha. She highlighted that five districts—Tirap, East Siang, Namsai, Lower Dibang Valley, and Papum Pare—have been prioritized due to their higher number of diagnosed HIV-positive cases.
In Tirap district, a total of 87 HIV-positive cases have been identified, comprising 77 males and 10 females, Dr Thingnok stated.
Speaking on the occasion, the DMO emphasized the need to bridge existing gaps and achieve the targets set under Mission AIDS Suraksha by June 2026. He assured that the concerns and challenges faced by ground-level staff would be taken up with higher authorities.
In his address, CO Dr Taku stressed the importance of inter-departmental and inter-organizational collaboration to achieve the mission’s objectives. He also assured full support from the district administration in strengthening coordinated efforts.
Sontung Lowang Bangsia, Chairperson Care Me Home Welfare Society, spoke on the challenges faced by field-level staff in their day-to-day operations. She appealed for active cooperation and coordinated support from the district administration and all stakeholders to strengthen efforts in combating HIV and AIDS.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment from all participants to enhance collaboration, improve coordination, and work together towards achieving the goals of Mission AIDS Suraksha. (DIPRO)