Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 13:
All the Departments under the State Government will be asked to take due responsibility in the campaign against HIV/AIDS, said Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Dr S Budhichandra.
Addressing a one day convention on HIV/AIDS at Sardar Patel High School, Khurkhul today, Budhichandra assured that all the Departments will be asked to share 2 percent of the plan amount allocated to each Department towards the campaign against drug menace.
Efforts will be put in to enact a new legislation towards this effect, he added.
In case such measures do not suffice, another legislation may be enacted to make all the people aware of HIV/AIDS compulsorily, Dr Budhichandra hinted.
Moreover, all the MLAs will be asked to set aside a fixed amount from their Local Area Development Fund for utilisation in the fight against the global epidemic.
Speaking on the occasion as guest of honour, Wangoi AC's MLA Salam Joy asserted that all the people need to be cautious against HIV/AIDS.
In his presidential speech, MLA of Sekmai assembly constituency Dr H Borajao also called upon the people to keep a constant vigil against the disease.
The one-day convention was jointly organised by the Manipur State Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS and the Apunba Khurkhul Nupi Chaokhat Lup under the sponsorship of UNAIDS.
UNAIDS State co-ordinator Sunil Huidrom said that it being targeted to organise such conventions in 21 Assembly segments by the month of March.
Till date, such conventions have been organised in Konthoujam, Wangoi and Sekmai A/Cs, Sunil said.
The basic objective of the UNAIDS to dissuade people from discriminating persons living with HIV/AIDS.
NACO ex-consultant Dr Khomdon Lisham noted the number of persons killed by HIV in the last two decades has crossed 5000 while the number of deaths due to gun violence during the same period stands at just below 3000.