DIMAPUR, April 19 � On invitation from Australian Consulate, a five-member team of Nagaland Legislator�s Forum on HIV/AIDS (NLFA) led by Health and Family Welfare Minister Kuzholuzo Nienu has left for Australia on a study tour and to highlight the activities of the Forum and share experiences on dealing with the issue of AIDS in the State.
The other members of the team include Dr Nicky Kire, Deputy Speaker Ralanthung, Joshua Sumi and Dr Vinito, State Coordinator for NLFA.
Besides sharing their experiences in dealing with AIDS in the State, the team will also tap knowledge on how Australia deals with the disease.
This is perhaps the first time that a team of politicians from Nagaland, is visiting abroad on invitation to offer support and highlight on an issue of pertinence.
Speaking to media persons prior to departure on Wednesday last, Health Minister Nienu felt that a big achievement had been made by the State in the battle against AIDS which is validated by the report indicating the decline in prevalence rate from 1.02 per cent to 0.78 per cent. On this, the Health Minister attributed the success to the team efforts of the NSACS, NLFA, Churches and NGOs all put together. He, however, stressed that there still remains much more to be done.
A team from AusAID had visited Nagaland last December to get a grasp of the activities of the NLFA and their dealings with AIDS.
Health Minister Nienu said the response from the Australian team was that the Forum was doing a �wonderful job and quite impressed� on the activities being undertaken. The UNAIDS has also reportedly recognised the efforts made by the NLFA in the fight against AIDS.
Nagaland Legislator�s Forum on HIV/AIDS, formed in 2003, is the first of its kind to be initiated by a State Assembly. Recognising the positive impact made by the political forum here, the States of Maharasthra, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram have all followed suit in line with this undertaking.
The political will of the Nagaland Legislator�s Forum on HIV/AIDS (NLFA) in their endeavour to lead the way in the fight against the scourge has evidently received deserved recognition, more so with the recent report of the decline in HIV prevalence rate in the State.
