State observes World AIDS Day
CM Assures Setting Up HIV Testing Facilities At CHCS, PHCS; Art Centres On The Anvil
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 01 2015:
Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi on Tuesday called for concerted effort and collective action by the people and the Government to end the scourge of HIV/AIDS from the State.
He was speaking at the World AIDS Day observation organised by Manipur State Aids Control Society (MACS) at 1st MR Ground, Imphal.
Attending the function as Chief Guest, O Ibobi reminded that Manipur, located in the Indo-Myanmar border area, is in the list of high HIV/AIDS prevalence States.
Highlighting the current situation, the Chief Minister said that Manipur had achieved laurels in bringing down infant mortality rate in the State and in the similar way, there is a need to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS so that the State could also substantially reduce the rate of HIV/AIDS infection.
"MACS had launched many awareness programmes to reduce the alarming rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Manipur.
Besides this, the State Government has continuously given efforts to fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS by sanctioning huge amount of funds," stated Chief Minister.
On the occasion, Ibobi said that the Government has started taking interest on all the people of the State living with HIV/AIDS irrespective of whether one is holding BPL card or not.
The Chief Minister further mentioned that many hospitals in the State are equipped with HIV/AIDS testing facilities apart from setting up a number of ART Centres.
"Government will focus on setting up free HIV/AIDS testing centers in far-flung hospitals of hill villages and will also plan to open HIV testing centres at Primary Health Centers (PHC) and Community Health Centers (CHC)," assured O Ibobi.
He said that the theme of the World AIDS Day 2015 is "Getting to Zero" and this meant that the people need to fight HIV/AIDS together to free the State from its adverse impact.
He said that the number of HIV infected persons in Manipur has decreased in the last three years.
Attending the function as President, Health and Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing said that Manipur is among the high HIV/AIDS prevalence States.
The minister informed that the rate of prevalence has however decreased in the last few years including Churachandpur District.
Since sharing of injecting syringes and sexual transmission had led to an increase in the number of HIV/AIDS related cases in the State, people need to be aware of the affliction so that the same could be eradicated to save the future generations, said Phungzathang.
A blood donation camp was also held in connection with the observation.
Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar, Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam and MLA Y Surchandra also attended the function.
Meanwhile, Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), Coalition against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) jointly observed the 28th World AIDS Day on Tuesday at Manipur Press Club.
The day was observed under the theme "Getting to Zero; Zero new HIV Infections, Zero AIDS related Death, Zero Discrimination".
The function was attended by MACS Project Director Pradeep Kumar Jha as Chief Guest; CADA President advocate Yumnam Ratankumar as President; All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) President Wangkhemcha Shyamjai and HoD Defense Studies, DM College of Science Dr N Sushil Kumar as Guests of Honour respectively.
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