Skip to content Skip to navigation

Churches' Response to HIV Epidemic in Northeast India

The first HIV/AIDS case in India was detected in 1986 and since then, HIV infections have been reported in all states and union territories. India has a low overall rate of infection, however, certain places in the country have been more affected than others.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

It is seen that HIV is more severe in the southern half of the country in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and the far northeastern states of Manipur and Nagaland and Mizoram.  As per the HIV statistics of 2010, India had 23.9 lakh people infected with HIV in 2009 at an estimated adult HIV prevalence of 0.31%. Adult HIV prevalence among men was 0.36%, while among women, it was 0.25%.


Phungreiso Varu, Assistant Professor at the School
of
Social Sciences at Assam Don Bosco University
The Church response in the early 1980s and 1990s was lukewarm, with lack of concern. The church leaders then said, “No good Christians, no good people indulge in drug addiction, alcoholism, smoking, other social evils and immoral sexual activities leading to HIV/AIDS and other STDs.

It was then that drug abuse started raising its ugly head from 1980 in Manipur and later in other North East States. In the aftermath of its encroachment in the society especially among the youths, there were cases of snatching of gold chains and earrings from children and instances of killing children too.

The militant underground organisations also started targeting the addicts as a means of correction and prevention of addiction among the people of Manipur. In 2007 there were several news reports of addicts being shot in the leg by the under ground groups and some addicts even killed. Controversy over Christian funeral service to the shot dead addicts also arose.

The situation was such that people from all walks of life had to put their heads together and intervene on these urgent social diseases. 

In 1985, the International Year of the Youth many seminars, workshops particularly by Pastors, church leaders, community leaders, and youth groups made it a real year of awakening mostly centring on drug abuse and youth.

Though HIV/AIDS was diagnosed in 1981 in the US, and 1986 in India, Manipur had its HIV+ cases only in 1990 (961 total cases) which were the first cases in the North Eastern States.

Today, there are many participatory Churches involved in HIV/AIDS activities like awareness campaign, treatment and home-based care. The encouragement and urging from World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva, in its book entitled: “Facing AIDS, Challenges, Church Response” was a great springboard for the Christian Missionaries and their role in home based care in giving counselling, medical care and support, nutrition, social rehabilitation/social security to a certain extent is seen very important.

Government agencies have recognized the Churches in Northeast India as an essential and inevitable contributor in controlling and mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS says research scholar from the region.

Assistant Professor in the School of Social Sciences at AssamDonBoscoUniversity Mr Phungreiso Varu made the claim while presenting a paper at the 11th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific held last week in Bangkok.

The scholar from Manipur says, “The policy effort to engage Churches as key partners in implementing HIV and AIDS program, nationally or regionally is, henceforth unavoidable.”

The HIV epidemic in the North East India is largely driven by use of HIV infected syringes and needles by injecting drug users (IDUs) and increasing transmission of HIV through sexual mode.

Its proximity to the golden triangle (Myanmar, Laos and Thailand) and drug trafficking routes, a large number of drug users with high prevalence of injecting and sharing practices, interface of drug use and sex work, and low usage of condoms across the region have contributed to an exceptional rise in cases of HIV and AIDS.

Among the North Eastern states, Manipur has shown the highest estimated adult HIV prevalence of 1.22%, followed by Mizoram (0.74%) and Nagaland (0.73%).

The region estimates a total of 63,049 HIV infected people, the highest being in the state of Manipur (25, 369) and the lowest in Sikkim (539).

Three percent of India's HIV positive cases today come from these northeast states of Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland, which has only 4% of the country's total population.

Initially the Churches “were reluctant to respond to HIV/AIDS intervention considering the high prevalence and pressing needs of the region.”

However, churches in the region faced new challenges where HIV/AIDS pandemic claimed the lives of many congregations’ members during the last few years. Realizing the impact and importance of addressing HIV, the churches responded and played significant role in HIV prevention, providing care and support as service-provider in partnership with various government and civil groups.

The scholar Varu further asserts, “Given the significance of these statistics and the importance of addressing HIV and AIDS issue, the government is increasingly showing commitment towards greater participation of churches, civil societies and leaders of communities.”

Today, the Churches have established a strategic partnership with state government (Health and Family Welfare and other related Departments).

In turn, Government and Civil Societies equipped the church leaders and pastors to respond to the HIV and AIDS challenges, and advocacy to build relationship with local churches and its congregation members by organized awareness campaigns in church functions and community festivals.

Churches initiated seminars and salvation camps for youth and Sunday school students with training conducted for church leaders and youth in the program management of HIV and AIDS issues.

The churches operate Community Care Center and support People Living with HIV, especially women and orphans (spiritually, physically and financially) with assistance from NACO, Government of India.

Besides integrating HIV/AIDS teaching as an integral part of religious preaching, Churches developed behavior change communication resources and disseminated them.

In the recent years, some 2,000 youths and 1,000 women were trained on HIV and AIDS prevention, care and support while reducing stigma and discrimination programs.

Ten Church groups have initiated their own health ministry, counseling centers, income Generation Program and imparted skill trainings to support PLHIV and disadvantage population especially women.

The church groups were able to help some 70 orphans and 200 widows infected and affected by HIV.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India through its Healthcare Commission has been involved in the Project of Access to Care and Treatment (PACT) sponsored by the Global Fund since 2007. This step was taken as a concrete expression of the policy of the bishops in relation to HIV/AIDS, “a commitment to compassion and care.”

The Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), one of the world’s largest non-governmental organisations in the health sector, has more than 160 Catholic institutions across the country involved in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and rehab programs. Of these, 86 have specialized care centers as well as special shelters for children affected by HIV and AIDS, “where in addition to healthcare, education and rehabilitation are a priority." 

Add new comment

Random Stories

Akhil Gogoi ailing

12 Sep 2015 - 8:13am | AT News
KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi is ailing. He was rushed to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital on Friday following complaints of uneasiness. Doctors attending on his said that his condition has improved.

TBCA Women Centenary concludes amid celebration of God's grace

18 Oct 2017 - 12:53pm | Lester Makang
In conditions where prolonged monsoon had extended way far into fall this year, there seemed little to do to stop the inclement weather. God's grace could still overpower the element in the most...

Shivraj Patil’s NE visit begins on Tuesday

13 May 2008 - 1:27am | editor
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil is arriving in Shillong on a two-day visit to Meghalaya on Tuesday as part of his visit to the region to review the law and order situation. According to information...

Militant held at Langting

8 May 2013 - 9:50pm | Anup Biswas
In joint operation by 9 Madras and Langting police apprehended one Ronum langthasa @ Aref Langthasa @RJ s/o sri prosen langthasa of Jukuriba under Dhansiri Poilce Station Karbi Anglong alongwith five...

Other Contents by Author

 In a first time effort in the hills, tea women are coming to college to take lessons in empowerment. The academia-industry partnership initiative launched, on 21 February 2021 is at its mid-point marking women’s day 8th March. 28 women from 3 tea plantations in the hills are in this project spanning five Sundays till 21st March 2021. Salesian College Sonada established in 1938 and Tea Promoters India founded in 1980 who own plantations in Darjeeling, Dooars, Assam and Kerala have launched a pilot project entitled: Women Empowerment in Tea Communities. They offer workshops spread out on five Sundays from 21st February to 21 March 2021. In the first phase, ten women workers from...
Guwahati, 24th February 2021: For the first time in Northeast India an Ambulance cum Mobile Eye Clinic was launched on 24th February, 2021.  Rtd. Director of Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Guwahati, Dr. C. K. Barua inaugurated the mobile unit and Provincial of the Salesian Province of Guwahati, Fr. Januarius Sangma blessed the unit.   Dr. Barua in his impassioned speech said, “This Mobile Eye Clinic is a new beginning, as this is the first mobile eye unit that provides such range of services”.   Speaking at the inaugural function, Programme Coordinator – Health, Bosco Reach Out Mr. Probal S.G, said, “This Mobile Eye Clinic was a result of the...
Guwahati: Salesian Province of Guwahati inaugurated Don Bosco Bharosa, the Migrant Desk, on 24th February 2021. “Bharosa in Hindi language means trust and Don Bosco Brand is trusted by both job seekers and job providers,” says director of Bosco Reach Out Fr Jayaprakash. On the working of Migrant Desk Fr. Jayapraksh explains “Our North Eastern desks will network with similar desks in others parts of the country. As the migrant youth from North East India are spread out in all major cities of India, the main objective of Don Bosco Bharosa will be to provide safe migration to the youth of North East India. If the migrant youth of our region face any problem in any part of the country...
Guwahati, 22 February 2021: Bosco Reach Out, a Guwahati based rural development NGO distributed 80 handlooms and accessories for trained artisans at Lengopara area in Goalpara district of Assam, 22 February 2021. The distribution programme was part of BRO’s on ongoing project SFRUTI supported by Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Govt. of India.  “We have distributed 80 Jacqard looms and accessories among the beneficiaries for their income generating activities to ensure their sustainable livelihood,” says BRO Executive director Fr. A. Jayaprakash. He urged recipients to work hard and produce quality product to achieve the objectives of the project. The...
A Radio journalist working with the first community radio in the Darjeeling Hills has staked his claim and snatched a place in the India Book of Records, 28 September 2020. Program Coordinator and founder member of Radio Salesian, the first Nepali language broadcasting Community Radio in India, RJ Samir Chhetri, a native of Sonada has secured his place in the book of records. The India Book of Records states, “RJ Samir is the first RJ of the first community radio run by a college in North Bengal and entire northeast India.” “This recognition of RJ Samir is a matter of pride for our community radio and inspiration for younger radio journalists to make their mark,” says station...
Kolkata, 23 August 2020 — A Kolkata artist has come up with a new genre song dedicated to Mother Teresa of Calcutta to mark the saints 110th birthday, 26 August 1910. The new genre is called Folktronica - a type of music comprising various elements of folk music and electronica, often featuring uses of acoustic instruments – especially stringed instruments – and incorporating hip hop, electronic or dance rhythms, although it varies based on influences and choice of sounds. Made in the pandemic’s lock down times Korak Day of Kolkata calls it “Solo Song Film Art” entitled Nirmal Hriday - an English Bangla music video dedicated to all who volunteered for Mother Teresa’s Works and helped...
Agartala: A Salesian Sisters’ school in northeast India has come up with a novel idea to stay connected with children during the Covid-19 lockdown times. The Sisters reach Monday school assembly to children’s homes through social media. The idea was born, on the feast day of their foundress St. Mary Mazzarello, 13 May, 2020. Almost 50 days since the Lockdown due to Covid 19, and the Sisters missed the children – both boarders and day scholars, who used to be so much of their life.  “Our community and the entire environment used to be filled with joy and happiness, of fun and laughter and youthfulness,” recalls Sr. Albrida, Principal of Auxilium Girls School Agartala, capital of...
Radio Salesian (90.8) - The voice of the Hills - run by Salesian College Sonada has been selected as a partner in raising awareness about COVID-19 in a national project sponsored by UNICEF. Titled ‘Mission Corona’, the five-month initiative will feature a 25-minute weekly programme in Nepali language that will focus on issues related to the usage of masks, home quarantine, physical distancing, building immune system, and elderly care, among others. “During this unprecedented public health emergency, as community radio, we can inform and educate people on the impending danger of the pandemic through ‘Mission Corona,’” says station director, Fr. C.M. Paul.  With a transmitter...
Guwahati: The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) will honour noted peace activist Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, conferring its prestigious annual ‘Louis Careno Award for Excellence in journalism’ for his bold writings against communalism and fundamentalism that is gaining ground globally. The Award will be conferred on the Archbishop by former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurien Joseph, during the 25th National Convention of Christian Journalists, organized by the ICPA, scheduled to be held in Delhi, on 29 February 2020.  “Archbishop Menamparampil’s name is synonymous with peace, inter-community dialogue and social harmony. His incisive, thought-provoking writings on...
Over a conversation between the legendary tea planter Mr Rajah Banerjee of Rimpaocha Tea Siliguri and Campus Minister at Salesian College Sonada Fr. C.M. Paul on the impending peril of adolescent females being trafficked from the closed tea gardens in the Darjeeling Hills was born the Industry-College Partnership to provide skill training. “Education and skill training is the only solution, to prevent them [girls] from falling easy prey to stalking flesh traders who lure the unsuspecting girls with false promises of quick bucks and better future outside,” says Salesian College Principal Dr. (Fr.) George Thadathil. Mr Banerjee who calls Makaibari the first tea estate to go organic his...