Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May17 2009:
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial programme was observed today under the aegis of Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Manipur (NPM) with the theme 'Together We are the Solution' at Hotel Mass here.
The event was attended by Human Rights activist and Advocate Khaidem Mani, and Nodal officer of JN Hospital Dr N Priyokumar, as the Chief Guest and President respectively while the guests of honour were the State Coordinator of UNAIDS Sushil Huidrom and the Project Director (Technical) of MACS Dr Kh Pramod Kumar.
Noting that Manipur is one among the high prevalent states of AIDS in India, Advocate Khaidem Mani said that the people should fight the dreaded menace in unity.
HIV/AIDS cannot be prevented by stigmatising the patients.
High chance of its spread is only inevitable in stigmatising the HIV/AIDS patients.
Delivering his presidential speech, Dr N Pradip Kumar said that one of the main reasons of the high presence of AIDS patients in the state is due to its proximity with neighbouring countries.
He feels that if not the smuggling of contraband drugs and the migration of sex workers are not checked, the trend of HIV/AIDS prevalence in the state will remain the same.
Dr Pradip Kumar also spoke about the need to work sincerely on the part of HIV/AIDS related NGOs in checking the spread of the disease.
He further talked about the need to maintain transparency in the implementation of various programmmes with financial sanction and the concerned NGOs must also implement the sanctioned amount appropriately.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a programme of the Global Health Council, is one of the oldest and largest grassroots mobilisation campaigns for HIV/AIDS awareness in the world.
Started in 1983, the Candlelight Memorial takes place every third Sunday in May and is led by a coalition of some 1,200 community organizations in 115 countries hosting local memorials that honour the lost and raise social consciousness about the disease.
The Candlelight is also much more than just a memorial.
It provides opportunities for leadership development, policy advocacy, partnerships, and improvement of community mobilisation skills.
With 33 million people living with HIV today, the Candlelight continues to serve as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers, and giving hope to new generations.