NGO to propose fund allocation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 01 2011: Community Network for Empowerment, an NGO in the field of HIV/AIDS today announced that it would propose to the Planning Commission of India for allocation of fund in the five year plan programme of the Government to specifically address the issue of HIV/AIDS and drug users.

Speaking to newspersons at Classic Hotel today, the Network's convenor RK Kanta confided that the Planning Commission has a provision to entertain proposals from NGOs with regard to tackling various issues related to HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.

Stating that October 4 is the last date for sending the proposal to the Planning Commission, he informed that ahead of the deadline a meeting attended by representatives of different NGOs operating in the State was held at Classic Hotel earlier in the day during which financial constraints hampering welfare activities for HIV/AIDS infected persons as well as injecting drug users were minutely discussed.

Contending that in some countries there is 5.10 percent allocation from the total plan outlay to address the issue of HIV/AIDS and injecting drug users, Kanta highlighted that due to absence of such a policy people living with HIV/AIDS as well as drug users suffer untold miseries.

The convenor further maintained that inspite of 90 percent of the injecting drug users' population in Manipur suffering from various ailments the only Government initiative is provision of Nalosxane drug which could be purchased at Rs 87 .

He also informed that the suffering is even more grievous in the case of HIV/AIDS infected widows for there is no specific welfare programmes for them despite the fact that such women have not only themselves to take care of but also ensure wellbeing of their children.

For the time being, HIV/AIDS infected women are being provided with only anti retro-viral treatment (ART) which is also erratic due to negligence by health services workers and frequent cases of unavailability of ART drugs, he alleged.

Taking into account all such inconveniences the Network will be proposing to the Planning Commission for working out a specific policy for people living with HIV/AIDS and injecting drug users as well as increase budgetary allocation, Kanta added.

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