Tamenglong, September 07, 2009: The 2nd State level exposition which aims to give more economic empowerment to PLWHs (people living with HIV) has been inaugurated at Hotel Tampha here today.

Various products manufactured by PLWHs like garments, Kouna mats, clay pottery and eatable items are being displayed at the exposition which would continue till September 9. The event is being organised jointly by the Population Foundation of India, Manipur State Unit (PFI Manipur) and Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Manipur.

The inaugural function of the exposition was attended by Project Director (Technical) of MACS Dr Kh Pramodkumar as chief guest, Joint Secretary of Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Manipur Hegin Lupho as president and Joint Director (TI) of MACS Abhiram Mongjam and State co-ordinator of UNAIDS Sunil Huidrom as guests of honour.

Giving the key note address, State Programme Co-ordinator of Population Foundation of India, Manipur State Unit Acharya observed that the biggest problem being faced by people with HIV/AIDS today is the financial problem.

Earlier, it used to be their health problem and stigma and discrimination.

However, this two problems have been solved to a certain extend after extension of the ART facility and generation of mass awareness programme.

However, PLWHs have to survive, educate their children, take part in social activities and eat nutritious food supplements.

All these need money, he said, adding that the financial difficulties of PLWHs is even more among those women whose husband have died from HIV/AIDS.

To generate income for survival, these poor women have been indulging in manufacturing of various products like handloom and handicrafts from time to time through forming of Self Help Group.

But the unfortunate part is that there is no market for these products.

So to provide a platform for marketing their products, the exposition is being organised.

Apart from public display and sale of these products, awareness programmes on various development schemes would also be facilitated during the exposition, he informed.

There would also be recreational programmes like cultural activities, fancy dress competition, spot painting, competition, etc during the exposition, he added.

The president of Ukhrul Network of Positive People Ayo, who is participating in the exposition, noted that finance and transportation are the biggest problems that PLWHs in Ukhrul are facing.

Although there are around 60 self help groups (SHGs) in Ukhrul, only around 30 of them are active in income generation activities.

However, there is no market facility which could have otherwise lessen the economic difficulty, Ayo said.

Similarly, Isaac of Chandel Network of Positive People listed finance, transportation and stigma and discrimination as the biggest problems of the PLWHs in Chandel district.

Counsellor of Progressive Network of Positive People, Sugnu Bazar Rosallym noted that the location of Sugnu Bazar is at epicentre of Chandel Thoubal, Churachandpur and Bishnupur district and what the PLWHs of the surrounding districts want the most is opening of an ART centre or link ART at Sugnu Bazar.

As in other districts, the problem of financial difficulties, transportation, stigma and discrimination are very much prevalent, she said.

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