Administrative lapses jeopardize NACP in State
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 24 2014: Amidst the increasing HIV infections and large number of people living with AIDS in the nook and corner of the state, the apex body for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in Manipur has failed to implement programmes effectively to address the problem.

The implementation of National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) in Manipur has apparently failed mainly due to non-filling of numerous key posts of MACS, a source revealed, and pointed out that out of the sanctioned posts of 2 Joint Directors and 4 Deputy Directors under the National guidelines, there are at present only one Joint Director and 2 Deputy Directors in MACS.

As per NACO guidelines, MACS should have Joint Director (CST), Joint Director (TI), Deputy Director (STD), Deputy Director (M&E), Deputy Director (QA) and Deputy Director (IEC).

The Joint Director (TI) and Deputy Director (IEC) must be on contract basis, while others should be on deputation from the relevant government department.

However, at present there are only one Joint Director and 2 Deputy Directors in MACS.

Interestingly, an MBBS Doctor deputed from the State Health Department is handling a number of programme components, as the person is in the charges of Joint Director (CST), Deputy Director (M&E), Deputy Director (QA) and Deputy Director (IEC), the source further revealed.

According to guidelines, the post of Deputy Director (IEC) must be recruited on contract basis from among the health communication professionals having at least 8 years of experience.

On the contrary, a medical professional without any expertise of communication has been holding the post for the last five years or so, thereby hampering the education and communication activities to be taken up through various media available in the state.

As there is standard vaccine to prevent HIV and no effective medicine to cure AIDS as of today, awareness generation and behavior change remain the only available means for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the whole world.

So, a professional communication system is very much called for in the implementation of HIV/AIDS programme, an eminent NGO activist observed, maintaining that all the components of National AIDS Control Programme require effective communication/information activities which MACS has apparently neglected.

It is against the NACO guidelines and also against the spirit of the programme to allocate the charge of Deputy Director (IEC) to a medical professional, opined the AIDS activist, who also pointed out that the post of Deputy Director (IEC) has been remaining under the charge of a medical professional in spite of repeated instructions from NACO to recruit the same.

Communication/information activities have been jeopardized and ineffective due to lack of media professional in the IEC section.

MACS issued an Advertisement notice (No.ADMIN/11103/04/14-MACS dated 7th June 2014) through local newspapers and its website inviting applications for the posts of Joint Director (CST), Deputy Director (QA), and Deputy Director (IEC).

The posts of Joint Director (CST) and Deputy Director (QA) are on deputation basis, while that of Deputy Director (IEC) is on contract basis.

It was mentioned in the notice that short-listing of candidates for interview would be announced on 20 June through its website.

However, on 20th June 2014, another notice (No.ADMIN/11103/04/14-MACS pt-I dated 20th June 2014) was issued on its website saying uploading of shortlisted candidates for different posts is postponed until further notice.

No specific reason has been given for postponement in the notice.

There is, however, apprehension that the MACS is going to delay the recruitment as it has been doing for the last five years, apparently at the instigation of some officers who want to hold the charges of the various programmes for obvious reasons.

Recently NACO had notified that if government deputed officers hold charge of contractual posts, he/she should be entitled the salary meant for contract employees.

However, Manipur SACS has gone against the norm in respect of its deputed officer who is holding charge of contractual post, the source informed.

According to reliable sources, amounts meant for implementation of various programmes under MACS remain unutilized due to inefficient services of its officials, and the same is often returned back to NACO.

However, the office continues with its works of procurement of equipment instead of implementing the programmes.

Computer sets, laptops etc.

are the most procured items of MACS during the last few years, it said.

Referring to the recent CAG report, some health activists alleged that the revision of State AIDS Policy has been delayed for a long time, due to inefficiency of the incumbent officers of MACS.

Moreover, the World Blood Donors' Day for this year which was supposed to be observed on 14 June every year was observed belatedly on 24 June last, only because of delay in release of funds from the finance section.

A number of health activists of the state have drawn the attention of the Union Health Minister, the Director General of NACO, the Chief Minister of Manipur who is the chairman of Governing Body of MACS, State Health Minister and vice-chairman of MACS, Principal Secretary (Health) and president of Executive Committee of MACS for intervention into the working of MACS for addressing the alarming issue in time.

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