HIV infection decreasing in Manipur: MACS Proj Director
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 11 2012: The ratio of HIV infection in Manipur in comparison to other parts of the country has decreased, Shailesh Kumar Chaurasia, (IAS), Project Director of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSAD) has pointed out.

Shailesh Kumar, who attended 'journey towards improving the quality of life of PLHIV' organized by Population Foundation of India (PFI), Manipur State Unit at Hotel Classic on Tuesday said that the level of HIV/AIDS awareness campaign is high in Manipur in comparison to other states and discrimination towards HIV infected person is less in Manipur.

Moreover, due to the introduction of ART spread of the virus and the death rate of HIV infected/affected people has significantly came down in the last few years, he claimed.

He also said that if NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS perform their duties in accordance to the people's demand and need, then their funds would also be increased.

Dr Usha Kh, District Family Welfare Officer, Imphal West who attended the function as Guests of Honour said that every pregnant woman should conduct HIV test before delivery to control transmission of HIV infection from mother to child.

She explained that the theme of this year's World AIDS day celebration, "Getting to Zero HIV/AIDS" has three components; zero infection, zero discrimination and zero HIV/AIDS related death rate.

Guests of Honour of the function and Correspondent of Seven Sisters Post, Yumnam Rupachandra urged all the NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS to look for alternative source of funding instead of waiting for external funds.

Project Director, Global Fund Project, PFI, Dr Phanindra Babu Nukella who presided over the function thanked all the NGOs, individuals, and departments who contributed in PFI's initiative to control the spreading of HIV and mass AIDS awareness campaign.

As part of the function people living with HIV (PLHIV) groups shared their experiences.

Around 150 people from NGOs, PLHIV and others attended the function.

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