Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 22 2009:
A State level media workshop on HIV/AIDS was held at R&D Wing, Lamphelpat today.
Taking part in the workshop as a resource person, editor of the Ereibak, Irengbam Arun called upon all concerned to frame the State AIDS policy in a transparent manner.
Social scientists, doctors and experienced NGOs should be roped in while formulating the State AIDS policy, he said.
Commenting on the presentation of the MACS Project Director that the State AIDS policy formulated in 1996 did not encompass media, women and children and that efforts were being made to plug these loopholes this time, Arun called for transparency while revising the policy.
Policies framed by bureaucrats only would have several drawbacks during implementation.
For detail and insightful reporting on several health issues including HIV/AIDS, journalists need to put in extra efforts.
At the same time, MACS and the State Government should institute fellowships for journalists dedicated to health issues, Arun said.
MACS Project Director Pradeep Kumar Jha said that tackling HIV/AIDS without media would prove futile.
He also sought public cooperation in different measures taken up by MACS to contain HIV/AIDS.
The population of HIV infected people has been rising at the average rate of 2000 persons every year, said MACS Project Director (technical) Dr Kh Pramod Kumar.
Observing that the trend was alarming, Pramod Kumar said that HIV control programmes would be launched at district level too in accordance with National AIDS Control Programme Phase-III launched by NACO.
For this, district level committees have been constituted.
Transmission of HIV from parents to children is high in Ukhrul district but in Churachandpur district, drug users account for the greater share of HIV transmission.
As such, programmes and priorities would be different for different districts, Pramod Kumar said.
Imphal correspondent of the Times of India K Sarojkumar observed that journalists in Manipur are not well paid, small in number and lacking proper study on HIV epidemic.
As media would constitute a fundamental force in the war against HIV/AIDS, a media policy may be framed at the initiative of MACS, he said.
Mr Manipur title winner and MACS brand ambassador Kh Pradipkumar also spoke at the workshop.
Notably, a total of 31,972 people including 8053 women and 2000 children have been tested positive according to an epidemiological report published by MACS covering up to March 2009.Till date 4363 people have died of AIDS.