Press Releases

Addressing the gathering, Sutnga Saipung MLA, Smti Santa Mary Shylla stated that the Integrated Health Campaign (IHC) is one of the most significant health initiatives for the people of the district as it provides a wide range of essential health services and screening facilities free of cost in the interest of public health and well-being even as she noted that HIV testing is among the most important services being offered under the campaign, as early detection is crucial in enabling the concerned department to prevent and control the spread of the disease in the district.

Smti. Shylla also pointed that HIV weakens the body’s immune system, making an individual more vulnerable to various infections and diseases. She also stressed the importance of establishment of an Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Centre in the district and said that the continued spread of HIV is largely due to ignorance, misconceptions, stigma and discrimination which discourage many people from voluntarily coming forward for testing.

Additionally, Shylla underscored that preventing the spread of HIV requires the collective responsibility and concerted efforts of all stakeholders and urged everyone to eliminate stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and appealed to the public to actively support the efforts of the concerned department in combating and eventually eliminating the disease from the district