KOHIMA, Oct 12 (NEPS): Shanavas C IAS, Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson of the District TB Forum, raised the alarming statistic that “96.27% HIV+ve transmission is through sexual route as per the data given by the District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) Kohima” during a meeting of the Kohima District TB Forum, DAPCU, and EVTHS on October 11, 2023, held at the DC’s Conference Hall in Kohima.
Shanavas expressed concern about the rate of HIV infection beginning in people as young as 15 years old and urged all relevant departments to work closely together, lay the groundwork, and raise awareness in order to achieve better outcomes in the upcoming years. Additionally, he gave them the assurance that they would have full district administration assistance and urged them to work harder to achieve the goal in their line-up activities.
Sentimongla Tzudir, DPO DAPCU, provided an overview of the district’s HIV+ prevalence, noting that a total of 8769 general clients and 2144 ANC clients had been tested at several Stand Alone ICTCs in the Kohima and Tseminyu districts as well as one Mobile ICTC.
Out of 8769 general consumers, a total of 214 clients—including 119 men and 95 women—were tested HIV+ve; of these, 164 are from the Kohima district. In contrast, out of 2144 ANC clients, a total of 27 clients—all from the Kohima district—were tested HIV+ve. Out of 241 people who tested positive for HIV (both GC and ANC), 43.57% were between the ages of 25 and 34, 28.63% between the ages of 35 and 49, 19.5% between the ages of 15 and 24, 4.98% between the ages of 50, and 3.32% between the ages of 1 and 14. Sexual contact accounted for 96.27% of transmission.
Tzudir provided information on the ISHTH Campaign, stating that it began on July 20, 2023, at the District Jail in Kohima. A total of 93 consumers received general health checks during the campaign, as well as testing for TB, Hep B, Syphilis, HIV, and other diseases.
Dr. Chibenthung Kithan, DTO Kohima addressed TB efforts by highlighting accomplishments made in the field as well as the most recent data on TB positive patients in the region. Out of 1353 clients who were tested for TB, 403 were found to be positive, of whom 363 were receiving treatment, and the other clients did not show up, according to him.
Additionally, he discussed NIKSHAY MITRA (Donor), which is Hindi for “Food Packet for TB Patients,” and said that as of right now, 39 Donors had consented to sponsor 114 patients. He also stressed the need for increased donations from businesses, churches, and individuals to help the TB patients.
Imliakum Imsong, PO, AHANA, presented on AHANA, and Vituozolie Kuotsu, DIS DAPCU, spoke on Eliminating Vertical Transmission of HIV and Syphilis. (DPRO, Kohima)