People in remote areas of the state should be alerted on the “dreadful disease AIDS” and ensure that they understand and respond positively.

This was stated by state Governor, Nikhil Kumar while addressing a gathering during the inaugural function of Red Ribbon Express (RRE) Train (Phase III), Friday at Dimapur railway station.

Nikhil Kumar stated that publicity and education on HIV & AIDS would be futile if people failed to understand their role since they were the most important stakeholders.

Pointing out that the most affected people were from below poverty line, the governor said “total attention” should be given to them.

He also said, 10 years ago Nagaland was the second most affected state in the country, but added the prevalence rate has come down from 1.3% to 0.87% for which he complimented the state government and department of health & family welfare.

Complimenting on the negative growth rate, the governor however said that it was not enough, and that he was looking forward to when eradication of HIV & AIDS would be achieved.

The governor then urged the district administration Dimapur, various departments, NGOs in the district to play a pivotal role in disseminating RRE programme.

Earlier, delivering the keynote address, minister of health & family welfare, Kuzholuzo Nienu (Azo) stated the main focus of the programme at the present phase was to target youth, who he said, was the mainstay of any health programme.

Stating that RRE bus caravan would be conducting three-day outreach activities starting August 16 to August 18, Azo added that the bus caravan would travel to selected blocks and villages within Dimapur district.

RRE phase III arrived on August 17 and would be at Dimapur railway station till August 18, 9 p.m. RRE train comprising of eight coaches has four exhibition coaches, one auditorium cum conference coach, one counseling cum medical coach, a sleeper coach and office and dining cum pantry coach.