The HIV Initiative of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association is proud to announce that the winner of its inaugural Dignity and Right to Health Award is Dr Biangtung Langkham, who has been involved in early responses to the twin epidemics of drug use and HIV in his hometown of Churachandpur, Manipur, India since the early 1990s.

Starting within the Christian community in Manipur, he has gone on to work across tribal and religious boundaries, facilitating local community based responses to HIV and substance misuse.

The SHALOM project, as it came to be known, was tackling issues of harm minimisation and community empowerment in HIV prevention a good decade or more before such approaches became commonplace.

SHALOM is also involved in providing care for those living with HIV and AIDS. SHALOM continues as a model faith based organisation (FBO) response to AIDS in the region, and continues to work effectively with all communities.

Dr Langkham was subsequently involved in facilitating other responses across the Northern India in as part of Emmanuel Hospital Association's response to HIV/AIDS in India. These include programs in Mizoram, in four other north Indian states, an Indio- Nepal Border town and New Delhi.

Since 2001 Dr Langkham has been based in New Delhi, as Regional Director EHA North East and Coordinator for HIV/AIDS services of EHA.

In the last two years he has also served as the Project Director of Project ORCHID, EHA on behalf of the India AIDS Initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he has overseen a response to HIV prevention among drug users on a scale not previously seen in Asia.

He has also been involved providing support to the National AIDS Control Plan (NACP). He has provided similar support for TEAR Fund and other faith based organisations in developing their plans for India and neighbouring countries.

The award recognises Dr Langkham's major contribution in mobilising Christian communities to respond compassionately to individuals excluded by society (HIV infected drug users and sex workers) on a scale that has the opportunity of bringing the epidemic under control.

Dr. Michael Burke, Chair of the ICMDA HIV Initiative said 'The Dignity and Right to Health Award is an international symbol of the global response to HIV.

It is an activity of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association HIV Initiative. The award provides an essential opportunity to recognise, support and publicize the most outstanding role models and champions acting to stop this global epidemic.

It is well positioned to become an important symbol for ensuring that voices from diverse communities and countries are acknowledged and championed.'

STOPS
About the ICMDA HIV Initiative;
The ICMDA HIV Initiative is a linked activity of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association. We are motivated by a belief in a loving God who cares about all the world's people regardless of health status, race, creed, colour or financial or social standing.

The International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA) is an association of more than fifty national Christian medical, dental and health worker societies, and interested individuals, reaching out to Christian doctors, dentists, health workers and students around the globe.

Websites:

www.eha-health.org/hivaids.htm
www.icmdahivinitiative.org
www.icmda.net