Imphal, September 18, 2010: Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi has announced that the state government would take steps to set up rehabilitation centres for People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in all the districts where the concerned people could try to correct their own behaviors and also avail themselves of opportunities for self employment.

The Chief Minister was speaking at one day constituency level convention on HIV/AIDS held at the community hall of Wangbal in Thoubal district today.

The convention was organised by Manipur Legislators' Forum on HIV/AIDS for PLWHAs of Khangabok constituency.

Minister of Health and Family Welfare Department, Ph Parijat was the president, chairman of Manipur Pollution Board and vice president of MPCC, MLA E Dwijamani, MLAs Dr I Ibohalbi, Dr Ng Bijoy, Y Surchandra, M Okendro, O Landhoni Devi and K Meghachandra and chairperson of Manipur State Women Development Coorporation, Ak Meerabai were the guests of honour.

Chief Minister O Ibobi, who was the chief guest of the function, told the gathering that there are too many problems in the poor state of Manipur where the law and order situation remains so bad all the time.

Besides, Manipuri society has been invaded by HIV/AIDS, which is a serious matter.

With an objective of fighting this invasion, all 60 MLAs of Manipur Legislative Assembly joined hands and formed the Forum, Chief Minister Ibobi said.

Though sports and culture identify Manipur, the world is beginning to recognise the state because of HIV/AIDS, which is really shameful, the Chief Minister said.

A report published by MACS in August has said that there are 36,371 PLWHA.

Out of this number, 9,733 are female PLWHA and 16,639 are male.

In all 17,253 PLWHA are taking ART medicine.

Some HIV positive people do not come to take ART medicines out of fear for social discrimination, Chief Minister Ibobi said.

He further said that illtreatment meted out to PLWHA would not help eradicating HIV/AIDs from the society.

The Government is trying to take steps to improve the financial conditions of the widows with a view to restraining them from entering the world's oldest profession in order to earn their livelihood.

Health Minister Parijat said that once people used to feel afraid that those people who have HIV/AIDS would not survive longer than two or three years.

But now-a-days there are highly effective medicines which can prolong the longevity of PLWHA.

It is unfortunate for Manipuri society that some of the HIV positive people were living in hiding because of fear for discrimination.

It is the duty of the authorities concerned and people working in this field to find such people in hiding.

They should be given proper counselling and medicines.

Project Director of MACS, PK Jha and State Coordinator of UNAIDS, Sushil Huidrom spoke as resource persons at the function.

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