World AIDS Day observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 01, 2012: Governor Gurbachan Jagat emphasised on preventing the youths from indulging in substance abuse and on intensifying awareness campaigns to check spread of HIV/AIDS endemic while Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh pledged Government of Manipur's relentless effort to ensure an AIDS-free Manipuri society.

Speaking as the chief guest at the State level observance of World AIDS Day at Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) auditorium this morning, the Governor calling upon all concerned to put in maximum effort for achieving the goal of "Getting to Zero", this year's observance theme, also expressed satisfaction that number of HIV positive cases in Manipur is showing slight declining trend.

citing Sentinel Survey report that high risk groups is still the most vulnerable despite various intervention programme, gurbachan Jagat however cautioned that the campaign to curb the menace needs to be intensified for there is still increase in HIV infection through the heterosexual route and syringe sharing.

Informing that comparison of transmission route for the period 2004-08 and 2008-12 indicated decline in the percentage of parent to child and blood to blood products from 12.2 to 6.8 and from 1.6 to 1 percent respectively, he also pointed to maximum distribution of HIV positive cases among the 25-49 years age group as 'disturbing'.

"About 82 percent of all cases are within this age group.

This further indicates that without intervention, as this group is sexually active, they may and can increase the HIV infection through sexual mode of transmission".

Governor Gurbachan Jagat at the function

Further stating that reduction of infection in the age group of below 24 years is an indication that the intervention in this age group is yielding results, he suggested further sustaining of targeted interventions and revisit those which are not producing the desired result until the desired level is achieved.

Asking MACS for more concerted efforts as about 5000 HIV+ persons detected during 2003-04 and onwards do not attend ART centres, he cautioned that groups are the ones who will and can spread the infection as they are the silent spreaders.

These people need to be identified and registered with the Centres.

The advantage of registering is that they are not only provided ART but also with further information to better manage their lives.

With regard to Manipur being a border State, and noting that due to its porous international borders both illicit chemicals and people can cross the border with impunity, he suggested that along with the ongoing appreciable efforts to check smuggling of drugs equal focus should be on monitoring activities of migrant workers, who are mostly males and sexually active.

Describing as alarming high rate of involvement of teenagers in substance abuse and calling upon all concerned to initiate effective measures to check the trend, Governor Gurbachan strongly cautioned from abuse of substances they will eventually graduate to stronger substances to get the same kick, ultimately resorting to mainlining or injecting the substance.

The prioritization of intervention on high risk group followed by MACS is a step in the right direction.

The efforts can only be successful, if discrimination is avoided.

Despite large scale awareness programmes, there still exist some elements of discrimination.

This inhibits many people from accepting they are HIV positive and follow the prescribed regime for management.

only when the situation is difficult, do they come, by which time it is not easy to manage, he said and reminded the people that due to scientific development, HIV positive people can now lead a fruitful life contributing to the society.

Gurbachan Jagat also called upon the people of Manipur to take renewed pledge for eradicating AIDS from the surface of the earth.

Meanwhile, chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in his speech conceded that every developmental initiatives undertaken by both the Central and state Governments would be impaired unless the youths are shielded from the menace of HIV/AIDS.

"As I know, the first case of HIV infection in Manipur was detected in the year 1990 and till October 2012, a total of 42,116 HIV positive cases have been reported," said the CM while quoting official report that out of these cases of infection 11,778 are women and 2773 children.

Pointing out that Manipur is the only state to have a separate AIDS policy which was adopted as early as 1996, he also confided that the draft revised State AIDS Policy is in the final stage to meet the new challenges in dealing with AIDS issues in the State.

The Manipur State AIDS Control Society has been implementing various intervention projects among the high risk groups of population.

Considering the importance of prevention among the general population, various activities are being carried out to increase the awareness level and to bring positive behaviour among the youths in co-ordination with Health department, NGOs and Civil Societies, he said.

Applauding many young HIV positive men and women of the state coming out in the public and joining the fight against the problem of HIV and AIDS, he stressed there is ample room for involvement of the civil society in the revised policy document to fight the problem.

Soliciting suggestions and modifications from all stake holders to make the policy more effective and suitable to the state, Ibobi also applauded efforts being taken by MACS, Health Department and NGOs to fight the problem of HIV and AIDS in the State.

the World AIDS Day observance organised by MACS at MFDC auditorium also had presentation of prizes and awards to various medical practitioners and NGO functionaries for their contribution in combating HIV/AIDS.

observance functions were also organised by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Centre for Organisation Research & Education, District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee, Bishnupur and NGOs.

At Moreh, the observance was jointly organised by NGOs such as MSF, DPU, MLSS, OSD, NG and OSOM with the volunteers spreading the global message of combating HIV/AIDS across the international border - Tamu town in Myanmar.

A rally was also taken out at Moreh town along with putting badges on passers-by.

At the World AIDS Day observance organised by MNP+ and Recovery Alliance at the former's office, MNP+ general secretary Udita underscored the importance of effective coordination among the State Government, all stake holders and the general public in order to realise the global objectives of putting an end to transmission of HIV, ending discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS and reducing deaths due to AIDS by 2015. To realise the goal of zero infection, it demands a specific policy for women and children in the State.

It is even more important to implement the policy in letter and spirit.

Observing that HIV has been taking a heavy toll on women and children of the State, Udita noted that widows living with HIV have been enduring various sorts of domestic violence.

All children living with HIV need nutritious food every day.

Like others, they need education as well as medical care.

However, majority of the children living with HIV in the State are not getting these basic rights.

Earlier, these children were looked after with funds from across the globe but today all the funding agencies have wound up their projects.

It is essential for the State Departments to ensure that these children can enjoy their basic rights with or without global funding, Udita asserted.

To ensure that women and child related programmes and schemes of the Government are extended to women and children living with HIV, a specific policy should be formulated.

As per an estimate given by UNAIDS covering up to December 2009, 34.4 million people have been living with AIDS including 2.1 million children.

India stands third in terms of rate of HIV transmission.

According to an epidemiological report published by MACS, there were 42116 HIV+ people in the State till October 2012.These included 11778 women and 2773 children.

Speaking on the occasion, SASO general secretary Sashikumar said that 42,116 people were tested HIV positive out of 6,52,687 blood samples tested which means around 21 lakh people of Manipur have not yet undergone HIV test.

It is crucial for the State to devise a mechanism under which the remaining 21 lakh people have HIV tested.

The observance was presided by AMWJU president A Mobi.