The second North-East conclave on HIV-AIDS being held in Kohima is focusing on prevention, discussion and analysis of HIV/AIDS scenario in the region.
In his address on the inaugural day, Nagaland Additional Chief Secretary C J Ponraj said HIV patients were ill-treated when it was first discovered in 1989 because of ignorance.
However, people have come a long way and the WHO, CDC, NACO and others were doing commendable job in creating awareness and halting the march of HIV, he said.
Success in combating HIV was not uniform, since even in India there had been decline in HIV infections in Tamil Nadu and some other states, but not so in the North East, he said.
Ponraj emphasised on inculcating new ideas, technologies and innovations into the system and said funds were allocated to the agencies through state governments and it should not be difficult for the agencies to avail them.
Country Director, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention - India, Dr Pauline Harvey said the periodic conclaves would help in tackling the growth of HIV, while stressing on the need for developing a separate strategy for the North-Eastern states.
The conclave, which started today, would conclude on September 5.
