Battle against HIV/AIDS not over yet: Health minister
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 01 2023: Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) observed World AIDS Day under the theme 'Let communities lead' at the conference hall of DIPR, here, on Friday.

Addressing the gathering as chief guest, health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan said that there is still a long way to go in the fight against HIV AIDS though the prevalence rate of HIV in the state has been reduced from 1.99 per cent in 2010 to 0.94 per cent in 2021 .

Though the observance is being held in low key, it is an important event observed across the globe to disseminate information on HIV /AIDS, he said, while voicing dissatisfaction on the absence of some key NGOs working in this field.

The minister also spoke at length on the rise of drug abuse in the state in the 80s and how intervention helped in reducing the number of injecting drug users (IDUs) after 2000.Unfortunately, prevalence of drug abuse is again on the rise and the society needs to take up measures to bring down the rate, he stressed, while pointing out that rising number of de-addiction or rehabilitation centres is the testimony of increase in cases of drug abuse which entail concerted efforts from NGOs as well.

In his address, Health commissioner PK Jha said that most of the AIDS control programmes are being taken up through NGOs and community.

In 1998, prevalence rate of IDUs was 76 per cent among drug users but today, the rate has come down to 25 per cent, said the commissioner, who also emphasised the importance of incorporating new provisions in the government policies to successfully lessen the threat.

He also stressed the need for NGOs to expand their outreach beyond the hotspot areas considering the high number of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Further noting that role of media is very important to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS, he said that community participation and role of NGOs are also equally important, and appealed to all to join the campaign for eradication of HIV/AIDS.

MACS project director Haobam Rosita, officials and staff of MACS, representatives from NGOs, community workers and others also attended the event.

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