Role of media in HIV-AIDS control dissected
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 01 2023: Under the sponsorship of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), All Manipur Working journalists' Union (AMWJU) organised a one day media workshop for women journalists on HIV-AIDS ethics and media reporting under the theme 'Stop the Spread' at Manipur Press Club here on Tuesday.

Speaking as chief guest of the workshop's inauguration programme, Babina Group of Companies chairman and managing director Dr Thangjam Dhabali explained that HIV is an RNA virus and it is found in African monkey since 1800 AD.

Human transmission began after African people started consuming monkey and today, it has become a global issue, he said.

While reminding that HIV transmits through unprotected sexual contacts, sharing syringes and blood transfusion, Dr Dhabali said that doctors are among the high risk group due to their profession.

The virus replicates after it enters the T4 cell of a human body and it takes around 10 years to develop into AIDS.

It compromises immune system, affects the healthy cells and organs of human body in the long run, he elaborated while stating that it can be detected through a simple blood test.

Further stating that the stigma and discrimination associated with AIDS is due to the transmission route, which puts drug addicts and sex workers among the most vulnerable groups, Dr Dhab-ali, however, pointed out that there are AIDS patients, who are not from such groups of people and there is no reason for discrimination and social stigma.

He further said that Manipur used to be at the top in HIV prevalence in the country but such an unenviable position has come down to third now.

Dr Dhabali encouraged the media to take major role in creating awareness among the public in order to control the spread of the virus.

He also spoke on the ethics of reporting news involving HIV-AIDS patients due to the associated social stigma and urged for caution while reporting to avoid legal tangles.

MSACS documentation and publicity, IEC assistant director Phanjoubam Lanngamba also emphasised on the role of media in curbing the spread of HIV-AIDS and ethical reporting, as per PCI norms and Acts related with prevention and control of HIV-AIDS.

He informed that 28,000 patients are undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in the state, out of which 6000 are women and 1,000 children.

They belong to vulnerable section and the workshop has been organised for women journalists considering the gender advantage they have while reporting news involving such group of people, he added.

AMWJU president Wangkhemcha Shamjai presided over the function, which was attended by women journalists working in different media houses.

In the technical session, senior journalists Pradip Phanjoubam and Ahongsangbam Mobi spoke on 'Media's role in reporting HIV-AIDS issues' and 'Media's role in curbing the spread of HIV-AIDS in Manipur' respectively as resource persons.

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