World AIDS Day observed widely
Source: The Sangai Express

Bpr/Jbm/Tbl, December 01 2023: World AIDS Day dedicated to raising awareness about AIDS was observed widely today under the theme 'Let Communities Lead' .

The District AIDS Prevention And Control Committee (DAPCC) Bishnupur in collaboration with the Red Ribbon Club, Royal Academy of Law, Oinam observed the day at the seminar hall of the academy.

The observance was graced by Deputy Commissioner Bishnupur, Lourembam Bikram, IAS; secretary of governing body of Royal Academy of Law, I Jugeshwor Singh; Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bishnupur, Dr L Raichandra Singh; and principal of the academy, Eliza Maisnam as the presidium members.

Speaking as the resource person, Dr Sougaijam Reshma Devi spoke at length about Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and its relation with Tuberculosis.

World AIDS Day observed widely

Speaking at the occasion, Bishnupur DC L Bikram highlighted the need of making sincere efforts to achieve the objective of World AIDS Day which is to raise awareness about AIDS and its preventive measures so as to eradicate it.

CMO Bishnupur Dr L Raichandra Singh while addressing the gathering, spoke about the causes of AIDS and called upon all to make cohesive efforts to check its further spread.

He further informed that 43 AIDS related centres have been opened in Bishnupur district providing facilities of ICTC and FICTC testing.

The Government and the relevant authorities have been taking up a number of initiatives to wipe out AIDS, he added.

During the programme, winners of face painting competition for school and college students based on the theme of this year's observance were awarded cash prizes and certificates.

The observance of World AIDS Day was held at NRHM training hall, CMO office complex, Thoubal Wangmataba jointly organised by the District AIDS Prevention & Control Committees, ReD Ribbon Clubs (Colleges), District Level Networks and TI-NGOs of Kaching and Thoubal districts under the sponsorship of Manipur State AIDS Control Society.

DC Thoubal, Ahanthem Subhash Singh; CMO Thoubal, Dr Y Nokul Singh; CMO Kakching, Dr Th Rajen Singh; District Malaria Officer Thoubal, L Lalitkumar and District TB Officer Thoubal, Dr Yumnam Shameen Devi attended as the dignitaries of the programme.

During the programme, the dignitaries spoke on the need of fighting collectively against AIDS.

In line with the observance, DC Thoubal flagged off an awareness rally which was carried out at the surrounding areas of Thoubal Bazar.

DC Thoubal while speaking at the event spoke about the AIDS control measures taken up in the district and maintained that the authorities are taking proper care of AIDS affected displaced victims of the communal conflict taking refuge in relief centres across the district.

Later a candle lighting ceremony was held at the CMO Thoubal complex in the evening jointly organised by the District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) Thoubal, MNP+Thoubal and VIHAAN Project, Thoubal attended doctors of DAPCU and staff of MNP+ and VIHAAN project.

On the other hand, World AIDS Day observation was held at 50 Bedded District Hospital Jiribam organised by the District Health Society Jiribam in collaboration with Child Welfare Ashram.

The programme was attended by social activist N Budhachandra Singh; District Hospital Jiribam, Medicine MD (In charge of ICTC, OST & ART) Dr Justin Haobam; Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr Elangbam Okendro and Child Welfare Ashram, Jiribam secretary RK Bijoysana Singh as the presidium members.

As a part of the observation, the attendees observed two-minute silence in the honour of the departed souls due to AIDS and prayed that they may rest in peace at the Heavenly abode.

Kumbi College also observed the day at the college organised by the NSS Units I, II and III and the NSS volunteers distributed leaflets about AIDS to passersby along Kumbi-Wangoo road.