Govt may open more ART outlets
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 06 2011:
Government is considering to open more ART outlets for the convenience of the people living with HIV/AIDS, said Health and Family Welfare minister, L Jayentakumar today, speaking at a one-day AIDS awareness campaign organized by the Manipur Legislators' Forum on HIV and AIDS at Keishamthong.
The minister, who graced the opening function as chief guest, further mooted of forming an apex body of the people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS hailing from his Keishamthong A/C and invited suggestions from the concerned for materializing his proposal.
Asserting that the apex body so formed will able to point out the actual figure of people living with HIV and AIDS and those affected by it.
He said, if the number is made known, he can estimate the how much funds are to be earmarked from the MLA's local area development fund to take up welfare works for them.
Minister Jayentakumar also announced that medicines required in all the healthcare centres in the state will be made available within this current month.
The same is to be supplied under the Central sponsored National Rural Health Mission.
Health Department is also considering for opening a blood bank in every district of the state, he added.
Speaking at the function, Abhiram Mongjam, joint director MACS expressed concern over the increasing number of people infected by HIV/AIDS in the state and said like Manipuris dominating other states in sports, the state is also at the top with the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
Earlier, state had only five HIV testing centres but today the same has been opened in all districts.
74 testing centres are functioning in the state.
ART facility is being providing in two healthcare centres, RIMS and JNIMS hospitals, currently and these centres have given hope to the people infected by the disease to lead a normal life, he added.