World Aids day: State lives up to 'Getting to Zero' call
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 01, 2012: Responding to the global call for 'Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infection.

Zero discrimination.

Zero AIDS-related deaths' World AIDS Day was also observed throughout the State by different NGOs and CSOs today.

The State Level Observation was held under the aegis of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) at MFDC Auditorium, Palace Compound here.

Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest Governor Gurbachan Jagat said that even though the absolute number of HIV positive cases in Manipur is increasing, prevalence rate reportedly shows a slight declining trend every year.

However, as per the Sentinel Survey, the High Risk Groups are still the most vulnerable despite various intervention programmes.

Pointing out that the route of transmission during 2004-2008 and 2008-2012 shows decline in the percentage of parent to child transmission and blood and blood products from 12.2 to 6.8 and from 1.6 to 1 respectively, the Governor expressed concern that the percentage through heterosexual route and infection through syringe not only form the major percentage, but also shows an increase in the percentage.

�Another disturbing finding is that maximum distribution of HIV positive is among the age group of 25-49 years, the most productive period of human beings.

So without intervention, this sexually active group may and can increase HIV infection through sexual mode of transmission", he warned.

While informing that the reduction of infection in the age group of below 24 years shows the yielding results in this age group, Governor Gurbachan Jagat further stressed on the need to strengthen those targeted interventions which are not yielding results and revisit those which are not producing the desired result.

He also suggested that despite their efforts, MACS needs to do more as about 5000 HIV positives detected during 2003-04 and onwards do not attend ART Centres.

�These are the ones who will and can spread the infection as they are the silent spreaders.

These people need to be identified and registered with the centres.

The intervention followed by MACS can be successful only if discrimination is avoided", the Governor said and added that �despite large scale awareness programmes, there still exist some elements of discrimination".

Delivering the Presidential speech, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that the observance of World AIDS on December 1 is to caution the people of the impending dangers of HIV and AIDS epidemic and also to enhance services for prevention, care and treatment.

He noted that Manipur is the only State to have a separate AIDS Policy which was adopted as early as 1996.The draft revised State AIDS Policy is in the final stage to meet the new challenges in dealing with AIDS issues in the State.

While highlighting the various intervention programmes being taken up by MACS among the high risk groups, the Chief Minister said that the activities are being carried out to increase the awareness level and to bring positive behavior among the youths in co-ordination with health department, NGOs and CSOs.

The World AIDS Day was also observed by SASO in collaboration with India HIV/AIDS Alliance, European Commission and Elton John AIDS Foundation at the Community Care Centre for Children Home, Haobam Marak Laorembam Leikai.

Dr Momota Mukherjee, CMO, Imphal East; K Birjit, President SASO and Th Saratchandra, Up-Adhyaksha, Imphal East Zila Parishad attended the observance function as Chief Guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively.

The District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee in collaboration with AXHYA TB Project and Link workers also observed World AIDS Day at Indoor Stadium Tamenglong today with Dr Chambo Ganmei, MO of Tamenglong; Dr Nanju and Pastor namsadi as Chief Guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively.

The day was also observed under the aegis of Community care Centre, Tamenglong with its CMO as the Chief Guest.

Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) also organized the observance at its office today.

On the occasion of World AIDS day, 27th Assam Rifles (AR) organized a seminar cum presentation on the theme of 'AIDS: global pandemic and its Impact on the local communities' at Kha Manipur College, Kakching on Saturday.

�After 30-years of global fight against HIV/AIDS, this year we are committed to focusing on achieving 3 (three) targets: Zero new HIV infection; zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths," said a statement by IGAR (South), Head Quarters.

It also urged all to work together to meet the challenge of �getting to zero".

In another occasion, 35 AR of 28 Sector and 44 AR of 10 Sector under HG IGAR (South) in collaboration with Compassion School, Kamjong observed world AIDS day at Sajik Tampak, Chandel district and Chassad-Kamjong, in Ukhrul district respectively.

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