Workshop sensitises media on HV/AIDS
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 27 2021:
A one-day media sensitisation programme on HIV and AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act 2017 was held today at Manipur Press Club.
The media sensitisation programme was organised by the Khelen Thokchom Trust, Manipur with the support of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) .
Khelen Thokchom Trust founder Thokchom Memcha and MACS Deputy Director Dr Hemlata Thokchom attended the inaugural session as president and chief guest respectively.
Speaking at the opening session, Dr Hemlata said that HIV positivity rate among pregnant women has declined to 0.51 per cent from 2.7 per cent in 1999 following active intervention by MACS.
HIV positivity rate among adult population was 3.1 per cent in 1999 but it has now dropped to 1.18 per cent.
However, it is still the third highest HIV prevalence rate in the whole country, Dr Hemlata said.
She said that Mizoram and Nagaland are the two States which have higher HIV prevalence rates than Manipur.
Observing that very few people are aware of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act 2017, Dr Hemlata said that creating awareness among media persons about the Act would go a long way in educating the masses about the same Act.
She said that HIV and AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act 2017 was enacted to check and control transmission of HIV.
The same Act was published in the Gazette of India on April 21, 2017 before it was published in the State gazette on February 3, 2021 .
The Manipur State Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Ombudsman and Legal Proceeding) Rules 2020 was framed earlier.
Under these rules, an Ombudsman has been already appointed.
As such, it is essential for all the people, particularly stakeholders to know the details of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017, Dr Hemlata said.
During the technical session, Advocate K Rabei presented a paper on 'HIV and AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act 2017 and its legal aspects' and Community Network for Empowerment president RK Nalinikanta on 'HIV and AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act 2017 and NGOs' positive role while TOM TV Editor-in-chief A Mobi spoke on 'Media's role in prevention and control of HIV and AIDS' .