Kohima, 20 July (MTNews): The State of Nagaland has initiated the Integrated STI, HIV, TB, Hepatitis (ISHTH) Campaign in Prison & Other Closed Settings (P&OCS) to address the prevailing HIV epidemic observed in prisons and closed settings across India. The campaign was officially launched at the Director of Prison Headquarters in Kohima on 20 July.
Dr Bernice D Thapru, Joint Director (Prevention) of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), emphasized the national necessity of the intensive campaign due to the alarming HIV epidemic in prisons and closed settings, with Nagaland ranking as the third-highest in the country for such cases. The ISHTH Campaign aims to conduct comprehensive health camps that include basic testing, medical check-ups, and major screening tests for HIV, syphilis, TB, and Hepatitis (B&C). Additionally, the campaign focuses on ensuring post-linkages for treatment to all confirmed cases of these diseases.
The campaign’s initial launch covers seven prisons across the state and extends to other closed settings, including privately and government-run Social Welfare facilities like Ujjwala Home and Sakhi One Stop Centre. To ensure effective monitoring and evaluation without compromising clients’ privacy, Niti Aayog will assess the campaign through an app-based reporting system.
Addressing the gathering, Director General (DG) of Prison, Renchamo P Kikon, IPS, stressed the need for a holistic approach to tackle these diseases, particularly HIV. He emphasized the importance of sustained efforts and campaigns to bring significant changes among inmates and prisoners, promoting prisons as reformative institutions. DG Kikon highlighted the necessity to sensitize not only prison officials but also officials from departments such as social welfare and medical services. Training and capacity-building for these officials are vital to encourage inmates to participate in the campaign actively. DG Kikon also requested the concerned departments to collaborate in increasing the number of pharmacies within the prisons. He expressed optimism that the ISHTH Campaign will contribute to eradicating HIV not only in Nagaland but also nationwide.
DG Kikon released Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for the ISHTH Campaign and inaugurated the Health Camp at the District Jail during the event.
The program was jointly organized by the Department of Prisons, Department of Social Welfare, and the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society.