Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) in partnership with Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) launched Dual Test Screening at Medical/ General OPD (Out Patient Department), District Hospital Noklak on Thursday. The purpose of Dual Test Screening is to know the status of HIV/AIDS through screening and blood test.

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Temjennungsang, State Co-ordinator (SCO) PATH highlighted on the major initiative taken by National AIDS Control Society (NACO) that targets to eliminate AIDS from grassroot level to globally by 2030. He also apprised on the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC), earlier known as Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre (VCTC), which plays a very important role in HIV/AIDS program. He said that adoption of OPD Dual Test Screening is a supplement. It is a very major program in India to adopt OPD, he said.

The SCO also briefed that Nagaland is the first state in North East to have the OPD centre wherein it first started at Dimapur district followed by Noklak. He stated that Noklak is estimated to have 1197 HIV infected person by scientific data but reached 64% achievement so far. Temjennungsang urged the gathering to approach the trained counsellor cum technician for test screening in order to be aware of own status.

Dr Longai, Joint Director, STI & District AIDS Prevention & Control Unit, urged the gathering to adopt knowing of one’s own status of HIV/AIDS in order to have health lifestyle adding that it is nothing to feel ashamed of.

Later, Dr Longai inaugurated the HIV & SYPHILIS Screening Room in the presence of District Administration, local bodies, GBs, Pastor along with medical staffs.