Alarmed over the high prevalance rate of HIV/AIDS cases, the Nagaland government has decided to include the state's media in its crusade against AIDS. This decision was taken at a workshop organised by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) at the Raj Bhavan. The workshop was attended by Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta, Health and Family Welfare Minister Thenucho, state government officials, representatives of the media, NGOs and field workers. In his speech, Mr Datta termed the media as the ''messenger of hope'' and urged them to play a positive role to help combat the dreaded disease.
He said the media should create awareness to fight the stigma through confidence building measures, reflect the inadequacies, if
any, to the authorities and encourage positive contributions through it.

Nagaland Commissioner and Secretary for Health and Family Welfare Temjen Toy said the state had the sixth highest rate of HIV prevalence in the country.He informed that there were about 15,000 affected persons with commercial sex workers and intravenous drug users leading the list.He also quoted reports indicating high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, low usage of condom and high sexual promiscuity. He said every responsible citizen must play a role in imparting proper information to the people, specially about safe behavior.

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