HIV / AIDS cases increase among IDUs
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 02 2011:
Cases of HIV & AIDS among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) has been increasing from 17% to 27% in the state said Secretary of Manipur Legislators Forum on HIV&AIDS, Dr I Ibohalbi.
Speaking at the one day constituency level convention on Hiv & Aids at Synod Hall in Churchandpur MLA Dr I Ibohalbi said that the increase in the number of Hiv & Aids cases is mainly because of the non availability of syringes which was previously provided by various NGOs.
He said that NACO previously provided syringes to NGOs under its Needle Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP) in kind.
But now MACS under NACO has stopped providing syringes to NGOs, and instead provides money to buy them.
The problem is that some NGOs misuse the money and the IDUs are left with no alternative but to share syringes amongst themselves which ultimately leads to the rise in the number of Hiv cases among them.
He said that we have not been able to contain the spread of Hiv & Aids mainly because of the prevailing stigma and discrimination in the state.
This needs to be stopped at all cost.
The State Aids policy also needs to be changed.
Every district of the state has to have a blood bank.
For this to be made possible the concerned Minister should provide Solar Power Plants in every health centre, he added.
Speaking on the occasion Dr VC Naotansing, District Aids Officer, said that 77% of IDUs in Churchandpur district are affected by Hep-C, a dreaded disease, though curable, is very expensive to meet the treatment costs.
As such IDUs often die because of this desease co-infected with Hiv & Aids.
He further went on to say that Churchandpur district is the first in the state to provide AAY card to PLHIV.
Two hundred and twenty two PLHIVs have been provided with this card.
Plans to provide MGNREGS job card to them is in the pipeline.
The function was graced by Power Minister, Phungzathang Tonsing and H Mangchingkhup, EMH, ADC, Churchandpur as chief guest and president respectively.
State co ordinator, UNAids, Sushil Huidrom delivered the key note address.