State heeds to call for 'Getting to Zero'
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, December 01 2013 : Against the backdrop that Manipur is now in the top second spot among Indian States with high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate and that around 500 new cases of HIV/AIDS are detected every three months in the State, the World AIDS Day, 2013 was observed in various parts of State today heeding to the global call "Getting to Zero" in term of new infection, death and discrimination.

One significant aspect of the World AIDS Day observance was witnessed at Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) in Imphal where goods made by people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS were put up for public sale.

Stalls were opened in the MFDC where self help groups formed by 'affected' people including widows for selling their products during the state level observance was organized by Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) with Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Th Lokeshwar as Chief Guest and Health and Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing as President.

MLA S Bira and MLA M Kunjo also attended the observance as Guests of Honour.

Dignitaries of the World AIDS Day observance held at MFDC Auditorium

Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Th Lokeshwar said that people often forget the value of life and they begin to indulge in risky behaviours, which can ultimately lead them to HIV infection.

The issue of HIV/AIDS is ever increasing in the global scenario.

Manipur is said to be the "Power House of Sports" and it has rich art and culture.

However, on one side, the State has been ranked second among high HIV/AIDS prevalent states.

The people living with HIV/AIDS should not be stigmatized and discriminated by normal people.

They should be supported by all to lead a healthy normal life, he enjoined.

The Speaker further said that the number of deaths as a result of armed conflict in the State may be only around 10 percent, but the rest is related to health issues.

The NGOs and civil society organizations must also join the cause for improving the health condition apart from staging sit-in-protests against abduction or murder cases.

He also stated that all 60 MLAs of the State under the aegis of Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS are maintaining a fund of Rs.one lakh each to support the PLHIVs and render financial aid to HIV/AIDS campaigns.

The target for "Getting to Zero" would be realized one day if all people make a collective effort to impart awareness and spearhead campaigns for prevention of HIV transmission, Lokeshwar exhorted.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing said that Churachanpur was earlier the district of Manipur with highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, but now Ukhrul has taken over the top spot.

The NGOs and other stake holders must work sincerely and utilize the funds sanctioned by various agencies appropriately to tackle the issue of HIV/AIDS in the State, he averred.

A mass rally was also carried out from Wangkhei Meihoubam Lampak to MFDC Complex as a part of the World AIDS Day.

Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Dr Suhel Akhtar, Project Director of MACS Shyamlal Poonia and other officials of MACS were also present during the observance.

At the conference hall of Tampha Hotel at North AOC, the observance was held under the joint aegis of Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO) and Care Foundation and VIHAAN CSCs with K Radhakumar, DC of Imphal West as Chief Guest; Kh Lokeshor, Nodal Officer ART JNIMS as President and Dr L Ranbir, Head of Pediatric Dept, RIMS as Guest of Honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Radhakumar stated that other than education, culture is very much important in fighting and preventing HIV/AIDS as an educated person also could eventually falls prey to HIV/AIDS.

If a HIV positive person is not honest enough then awareness will not be of any help him to him.

He further said when it comes to discrimination of HIV positive people; those infected people under ART who do not report in time are discriminating themselves.

During the programme, certificates and gifts were presented to doctors who have been taking lead role in fighting against the disease.

Manipur State Legal Service Authority in collaboration with Community Network for Empowerment (CONE) also observed the 26th World AIDS Day 2013 on the theme 'Getting Zero' at the office of CONE here.

The event was attended by A Guneshwar Sharma, District and Session Judge, Imphal East as Chief Guest; RK Nolinikanta, president of CONE as functional President and Ch Brajachand Singh, member secretary of MASLSA as Guest of Honour.

Deputy Commissioner of Imphal West K Radhakumar presenting certificate of appreciation to a doctor on World AIDS Day

On the other hand, to mark the 25th anniversary of World AIDS Day a mass public rally was organized by the District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee in coordination with various other organizations and NGOs at Senapati district headquarters today.

Held under the slogan and banner of "Working Together for AIDS Free Generation", the rally was participated by students and general public.

World AIDS Day was observed to unite the people to fight against HIV and AIDS.

Apart from students and general public, ASHA workers, members of various NGOs from different parts of the district and HIV+ patients joined the rally to successfully commemorate the day.

The rally was also observed with a difference as trans-gender community residing in the district headquarters came out to participate this year.

Addressing the rally, Dr H Loli Mao, District AIDS Control Officer (DACO), Senapati said, "AIDS has become one of the most destructive pandemic diseases which need to be controlled.

Ending AIDS will be synonymous to celebrating Birthday instead of attending Funeral".

With Manipur being one of the most AIDS affected states in the country, urgent need to control and contain the disease has become the main task today.

Of 39776 bloods sample tested in Senapati district, about 544 have been reported positive in 2012-13, the DACO said, while stressing on the need to have a collective effort to stop the spread of AIDS and not to discriminate the victims but to encourage them with love and care.

Isak Shah, superintendent of police, Senapati, who was the chief guest of the observance, appealed the people to be active in preventing spread of AIDS, by quoting "Prevention is better than cure" .

"Do not be afraid for blood test, tell your friends and be aware of your status and look after yourself," said a patient who gave her testimony.

"It is a real need to have a blood test before marriage, "added the brave fighter of AIDS in her testimony.

In the World AIDS Day observance organized by District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit in collaboration with CNP+ Chandel and Organization for Tribal Benefit Program at MACA Hall, Panchai in Chandel district, Deputy Commissioner Th Chitaranjan Singh, IAS, categorically stated that collective efforts of the people and Civil Societies, NGOs along with the Health Department will help to make the existing health delivery system in the district better and at the same time to realise getting to zero.

Presided over by District AIDS Control Officer (DACO) Dr Kesho S Moirangthem, the observance function was also attended by Chief Medical Officer of Chandel Dr S Ibomcha Singh and Chairman of Maha Area Chiefs' Association (MACA) Chandel, Sng Lumdil as Guests of Honour.

Elaborating on the theme of the observance, Chitaranjan stated that discrimination, Infection and death due to AIDS are three main focus of the theme which should be brought to Zero.

He also assured necessary help to PLHIVs as per guidelines.

Dwelling on the present health care facility and the Food and Civil supply prevailing in the district, the Deputy Commission called on all the CSOs, NGOs and Chiefs to join hands and work together.

In In his presidential address, District AIDS Control Officer Dr Kesho S Moirangthem appealed for support and cooperation from all sections of the society and expressed desire to lend support of his department for the good of the district.

CMO Chandel Dr S Ibomcha stated that AIDS being a Social problem, the medical department alone cannot solve the problem.

So, the objective of getting to Zero can be achieved only with participation and support of 90% from the public.

Chairman of MACA Sng Lumdil called for improving the system of health care services in the district Hospital and went on to conveyed MACA's willingness to work in association with the medical department for betterment of the Hospital.

Chairperson District DHMS/RKS H Kobor and Nodal Officer ART Dr Niang were also among those who spoke on the occasion markd by candle lighting and silent prayer.

Under the joint aegis of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Bishnupur, Mass United Green Association (MUGA), Red Ribbon Club (RRC), Moirang Block, the World AIDS Day observance was also held at Youth Resource Centre (YRC), Tronglaobi under the theme of 'Getting to Zero' .

Konsam Bimolkumar Singh, National Youth Awardee, 2003 launched the programme which was attended by 30 RRC members.

Role of youth clubs in controlling the problem of HIV and AIDS in the society were also discussed on the occasion.

World AIDS Day was also observed under the aegis of MACS at the border town Moreh where members of various NGOs like New Generation(NG), Dedicated People's Union ( DPU), Organization for Social Development (OSD), Social Development Organization (SODO), Organization for Salvation of Man(OSOM) went around pinning red ribbons to many people including Myanmarese Nationals from across the border, Assam Rifles personnel, personnel of Moreh Police Station, Commandos and jawans of 8 Manipur Rifles.