PLHIVs and IDUs gratified over inclusion by Planning Commission
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 02 2011: A gathering of over 20 representatives of People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) and Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) was held at the conference hall of Hotel Classic here in Imphal to draft and submit their recommendations and suggestions on the Planning Commission Approach Paper on behalf of the vulnerable community in Manipur.

The meeting which was primarily held to ensure the vulnerable communities to give their inputs and suggestions was organized by the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR).

The meeting was attended by representatives from Manipur Drug Users Forum (MDUF), Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), MNP+, Care Foundation, SASO, and Humanitarian Organisation for Progress and Empowerment (HOPE) .

The 12th five year plan will start from 2012- 2017 and currently discussions are on to draft the 12th five year plan.

In August 2011, the Planning Commission developed the Draft Approach Paper presenting the outline, targets and the key challenges in meeting them.

In keeping with its continued effort to ensure people's participation, the Planning Commission has invited feedback through social media and other means.

Speaking on the occasion, RK Kanta, Convenor, CoNE said that they are encouraged that their views are being sought by the Planning Commission.

We hope that this inclusion will lead to the concerns of People Using Drugs being reflected through resources for marginalized communities in the 12th Plan.

Voicing concerns of drug users in Manipur, Vikram, Executive member CoNE, said that the next five year plan should take into consideration specific health concerns like affordable treatment of Hepatitis-C infection.

"Though many drug users are Hep-C infected, very few are able to get treatment as the cost is prohibitively high.

We have raised this issue but it remains unaddressed and I hope the planning commission will consider this" .

The Approach Paper has included PLHIV and IDUs as disadvantaged people requiring special support.

Appreciating and welcoming this inclusion as special groups, the participants called on the Planning Commission to ensure this process is taken forward.

"We are hopeful that this will lead to allocations for vulnerable communities and there is greater accountability sought from the government agencies in ensuring access", said Thoibi, Network of positive people, Manipur.

She further went on to say that the vulnerable communities should not only be allowed to give their inputs and suggestions but should also be involved in decision making as well.

Speaking on the concerns of women living with HIV and AIDS and widows, Rinarshi of MNP+ said that the existing government schemes have not been designed with specific needs for PLHIVs and hence are difficult to access.

Community specific schemes have to be designed or quotas made in existing schemes so that services reach those who genuinely deserve it.

The participants appreciated the Planning Commission for its open and inclusive planning process and expressed the hope that this would result in better standard of living for vulnerable populations.

In 2010-11, the Planning Commission extensively consulted with over 950 civil society organizations using formal consultations and electronic and social media.

Five regional consultations were held to ascertain the feedback from state governments, local representative institutions and unions.

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