Kohima, July 20: A state-level orientation-cum-sensitisation of officials from prison and other closed settings was held at the conference hall of State Prison Headquarters in Kohima today.
Dr. Akuo Sorhie, Project Director of NSACS, said that primary intervention in the incarcerated population was an important initiative and stressed that these groups were in the vulnerable category.
Rupin Sharma, DG (Prison), said that he appreciates the efforts of the agencies and NGOs who have and are working relentlessly towards the cause.
He however urged for more agencies to come forward to work in a competitive environment in order to cut down the monopoly and encourage a healthy competition to provide the imprisoned population with proper care.
Sharma advocated that the agencies should come up with more strategies for intervention, provide legal counsel for the incarcerated and identifying the targeted population when they are brought to the prison system.
Dr. Bernice D Thapru, JD-TI of NSACS, gave a brief introduction of HIV/AIDS scenario in Nagaland with special emphasis in prison and other closed settings while Raghunath Manna gave a PowerPoint presentation on the strategies proposed for implementation of prisons and other closed setting interventions in Nagaland and support required from Prison Department.
The objective of the event was to sensitise and enhance knowledge of the officials on the issues of HIV/STI/TB/VIRAL Hep-C intervention among the incarcerated population, information on the rollout plan of prison and other closed setting intervention through GFATM project and developing a roadmap to create an enabling environment towards a comprehensive healthcare service delivery.
The event was jointly organised by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society and YRG.CARE in collaboration with the Department of Prisons and Social Welfare. (Page News Service)
