Source: Hueiyen News Service / Shimreingam
Ukhrul, November 16 2009:
The Ukhrul Network of Positive People (UNP+), organized a programme under the theme "Mainstreaming and Empowerment of Peers" with the support of the Indian Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS at TTA Conference Hall, Hamleikhong of Ukhrul district.
Around 150 peoples from various villages participate in the program which AC.
Ningshimi, Project Officer DRDA Ukhrul attended as the chief guest, Dr Kapangring, A Shimray, Medical Supptt, District Hospital Ukhrul and SK Bliss Vice President, UNP+ as the Guests of honours.
Vareiyo Chiphang President UNP+ presided over the function.
Lighting of candle by Associate Pastor Phungyo Baptist Church in remembrance to those who died in HIV/AIDS, experience sharing of the peers, interaction with stakeholders and peers, capacity building of Support Net concept, special case study of peers and future planning for sustainability of peer activeness marked the function.
President of the UNP+ speaking on the occasion said there are around 1400 peoples living with HIV/AIDS our of which 982 of them are officially registered.
Since 2005 onwards "Access to Care and Treatment" project started to function in Ukhrul with an objective to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with HIV/A1DS and the transmission of HIV in six high prevalence states by combining care, treatment (including ART), prevention.
The programme conducted with the support of INP+, PFI and Ukhrul Network of Positive People (UNP+) jointly work with a common consensus to avail the minimum standard of service to PLHIV in the state.
As a part of program implementation of ACT project, implementing partners imposed different activities and programs at the grassroots level in order to access the treatment adherence and care, he added.
District Level Network (DLN) constantly implements the grassroots level activities for education and information to PLHIV on treatment adherence.
DLN also conducted Peer Treatment, educator Training programs for empowering the skill and knowledge among the peers for delivery the information and education to peers in the grassroots level.
PTE is also taking a creative role in conducting the Support Group Meeting in the taluk level, follow-up for adherence and also tracing out the cases of Defaulters LFU So, Ukhrul Network of Positive People UNP+ 1st Peer Convention under the theme "Mainstreaming and Empowerment of Peers" supported by Indian Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+), he said.
The main concept of the convention is to bring an opportunity to advocate the various stakeholders.
It also aims to empower the peers by directly addressing their various issues and understanding the important of their active participation to overcome the issues.
By inviting the various stakeholders to the convention will also give an opportunity to highlight and mainstreaming the gaps and issues among the service providers, stakeholders and the beneficiaries-the peers.
It also brings an opportunity to impart update knowledge on treatment education by many resource persons to the peers.
The convention will also bring a platform to capacitate the peers on various skills by promoting their talent and identifying them which will help to incorporate in forming the support Net for their sustainability program.