Media Sensitization programme held
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 27 2013: To reduce stigma and discrimination against People Living with HIV, the role of media is of paramount importance.

Certain measures for People Living with HIV under the Vision Project of India HIV/AIDS Alliance and NACO will be taken up.

Looking after the grievances and plights being faced by the section, Discrimination Response Team will also be formed to overcome issues confronting them, said L Deepak, president of MNP+ .

He was speaking at the State Media Sensitization Programme at the office of MNP+ here today.

Deepak stated that there is a need to create awareness on different issues and problems being faced by People Living with HIV through concerted efforts to ensure that they are not discriminated in the society.

Addressing the gathering, Udita Salam, general secretary of MNP+ pointed out that most of the People Living with HIV is from poor section and many are deprived of certain tests which are needed for their medication due to financial constraints.

She noted that there are no facilities in the State where the required tests could be done at free of cost and urged the government to look into the matter and take up necessary measures accordingly.

Tilotama, officer of Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS), who was also present during the programme, informed that 46882 people are found positive out of the 765018 blood samples collected and tested up to September, 2013 .

Among them 24711 are male, 12411 female and 2939 children.

Senior journalist Irengbam Arun also attended the programme as a special invitee.

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