World AIDS Day : Chief Minister's Health for All to now encompass HIV detection
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, December 01 2022: HIV detection and free treatment have been incorporated in the Chief Minister's Health for All (CMHA) with effect from today.

This was announced by Chief Minister N Biren today while speaking at the World AIDS Day held under the theme 'Equalise' observed at 1st Bn Manipur Rifles ground.

The World AIDS Day observation was organised by the Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) today.

Governor La Ganesan who attended the function as the chief guest stated that it is the responsibility of the society at large, particularly women, to have a greater involvement in the fight against HIV and AIDS to safeguard the future of Manipur.

He said, HIV and AIDS issue is no longer a mere health issue.

It has covered all aspects of life-social, economic, legal, human rights and even political.

The all-out and concerted efforts of the health officials and concerned activists of the State will not be sufficient in tackling this issue.

The civil societies have to be actively involved.

Appreciating the role of NGOs and agencies during the last more than two decades in providing preventive services and care to the people, the Governor said, without the active role of the NGOs, the situation would have been worse.

La Ganesan said that Manipur was the first and only State in India to have a State AIDS Policy as early as 1996.Experts and intellectuals in this field shall give their suggestions and it will be of immense help to society in mitigating the menace of HIV and AIDS in the State, he said.

He also appealed to the young people, particularly women to become more and more aware of HIV and AIDS issues and also to participate actively in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Appealing to every section of the society to give cooperation in detecting HIV infections, the Chief Minister called upon all the people to save the present generation as well as future generations.

Chief Minister N Biren while addressing the day said that it is a matter of grave concern that there are high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in small States like Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland.

As a new culture of Westernization swept through the region, abuse/injection of drugs became a fashion.

As a result, cases of HIV/AIDS multiplied dramatically and a large number of people including innocents fell victim to the deadly virus while a considerable number of children were left orphans, he continued.

Noting that there are many people who are still suffering from social stigma, Biren underscored the growing need to deal with the issue in the most serious manner.

HIV/AIDS infection rate in the small State of Manipur is 1.05 per cent and there are around 13,000 people who are on ART.

HIV transmission can be checked effectively if all the infected persons including those who are concealing their HIV status come out and take medicines regularly, the Chief Minister stated.

While urging all HIV infected persons not to conceal their infection, Biren appealed to all the people not to discriminate or stigmatise HIV infected persons.

The Chief Minister announced that a new component has been added to the CMHA under which medicines would be provided free of cost to HIV infected people after conducting necessary tests Saying that a large number of youth in the age group of 16-18 have become drug addicts or injecting drug users, Biren asserted feat the War on Drugs is becoming more and more crucial because of all these reasons.

Ensuring easy accessibility of drugs to youth has been adopted as a profession by some people and they have even set up drug manufacturing factories within the State, fee Chief Minister stated.

He then appealed to all concerned to give up drug business and stop poppy plantation in the interest of the youth.

Informing feat door to door screening of HIV/AIDS would be conducted under CMHA, Biren asserted that timely detection and timely medication can go a long way in saving infected persons and also in checking HIV transmission.

Appreciating the contributions of NGOs in the fight against HIV/AIDS, he urged all rehabilitation centres to strictly follow all the rules and regulations laid down by the Govt.Health Minister Dr S Ranjan also spoke on the importance of creating greater awareness and ensuring coordination among all stakeholders to wipe out HIV/AIDS from fee State.

Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister N Biren also visited the stalls opened by Self Help Groups.

Five targeted intervention NGOs were also felicitated at the observation.

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