PLHIV's problems discussed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 29 2013:
Women Action for Development (WAD) in collaboration with CoNE, CNPW and SSG has organised a one day State level consultative meeting on issues and concerns of PLHIV in Ma-nipur at Banquet Hall of Hotel Imphal here today.
Delivering keynote address, Sobita Mangsatabam, Secretary WAD stressed on the high prevalence of AIDS in Manipur and its related deaths.
She briefed about the first reported HIV case in the State and steps taken up by the Government in response to the epidemic.
"According to the consolidated record released by MSACS 19,629 PLHIV have been registered in all the ART centres till the end of August 2012 which is less than 50 percent of the total PLHIV population of Manipur" .
She said, the objectives of today's consultation is to understand the various issues faced by PLHIV in the State, and to explore the scope locally relevant to address is- sues and concerns of PLHIV.
During the meeting, Dr I Ibohalbi Singh, MLA and Se-cretary MLFA accused the Government of discriminating HIV positive people.
The HIV issue has been prevalent in the State for more than 20 years, however, despite awareness programmes it cannot be successfully lessened or prevented.
"Intervention Programmes to prevent HIV are required, and it would be wrong to agree on the report given by some NGOs related to MACS that the condition of HIV/AIDS is improving" .
The Draft Policy for HIV/AIDS produced by Governor and CM on December 1, 2010 World AIDS Day has not yet been produced in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The failure to discuss the said Po-licy in the Assembly and translate it into Act and pass the Bill testify discrimination by the Government, Dr Ibohalbi added.
The recommendation taken in the meeting included, "Table and pass the State HIV/AIDS Bill in the State Legislature in the upcoming winter session, develop mechanisms to provide free diagnostic tests initiation for ART and monitoring, adequate physician especially gynaecologists for female PLHIV accessing ART at their respective ART centre, ensure proper community basic amenities such as drinking water, sanitation, sitting arrangement etc at the ART centre and provide AAY cards to all the PLHIV residing in the State.