Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 27:
A one day district level public hearing on HIV/AIDS was held today at State Guest House under the joint aegis of the Manipur Legislature Forum on HIV/AIDS and the Life Line Foundation.
The inaugural function of the public hearing was attended by chairman of the Manipur Legislature Forum on HIV/AIDS S Budhichandra and secretary of the Forum I Ibohalbi, executive member Dr T Borajao and project director of MACS Kh Pramodkumar as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
Giving key-note address of the public hearing sponsored by the UNAIDS, Manipur State co-ordinator of UNAIDS Sushil Huidrom said that recommendations adopted during such public hearings where people living with HIV/AIDS, doctors and general public may share their views and concerns on the issue of HIV/AIDS would be incorporated while framing State HIV/AIDS policy.
Such public hearings are specifically organised so that recommendations adopted here are reflected in the National AIDS policy.
Similar public hearings will be organised in other parts of the State, Sushil said.
Speaking at the occasion, S Budhichandra asserted that the perceptions of the people about HIV/AIDS are crucial in the struggle against the disease.
The problems, experiences and perceptions of the people directly affected by HIV/AIDS should be thoroughly assessed first before a policy on HIV/AIDS is framed, he noted.
During the public hearing attended by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and members of different NGOs, ART in-charge of JN Hospital Dr K Priyokumar presented a paper on "Constraints on ART and Scenario of Hepatitis-C in Manipur" and Radharani on "Gaps in Providing Nursing Care to PLHA in Hospital Setting".