AIDS Candle Light Day observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 17 2015 :
The 32nd International AIDS Candle Light Memorial Day was observed on Sunday at the conference of Hotel Tampha.
Supporting the Future was the theme of this year's Memorial Day.
The function was jointly organised by Manipur State AIDS Control Society's partner NGO's Forum (MPNF), VIHAAN and MNP+ .
Candles were lit with prayers to the departed souls of people who passed away due to HIV infection.
" It is not a happy day as it is Memorial Day for the lives we have lost.
It is the time when people working for HIV and AIDS strive harder to bring some changes", quoted W Syamjai president of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union who attended the function.
He also urged the political leaders to help in the matter.
|
The function was also attended by M C Arun Professor, Department of Anthropology MU, Abhiram Mongjam, Joint Director (Targeted Intervention) MACS, Dr R K Rosie, Deputy Director CST, IEC, Surveillance and Blood Safety MACS, Udita Salam General Secretary MNP+ as presidium members.
M C Arun expressed that the State needs to take immediate decision for certain steps to be taken up so as to reduce the prevalence.
The suffering of the innocent infected children is large and we should ponder on this issue as well.
Work on reducing the transmission from parents to children should also be accelerated he claimed.
L Dipanker president of MNP+ expressed that if care and support program is included in the State the number of casualties due to HIV infection may become lower.
Till now we are having prevention and intervention program which is funded and the observation of the deceased due to HIV infection is not included.
The candlelight Memorial Day is sidelined he expressed.
Viral load machine at RIMS is not functioning and the State Government is not paying heed to it which is unfortunate, alleged Dipanker.