Advocacy workshop on "HIV/AIDS Prevention & Control Act, 2017" held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 04 2024: Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) in collaboration with Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) and Manipur State Legal Service Authority (MASLSA) organised an advocacy workshop on "HIV/AIDS Prevention & Control Act, 2017" at Hotel Imolesh, Old Lambulane Road today.

The workshop commenced with a welcome address delivered by RK Nalinikanta, president of CONE.

RK Nalinikanta said that the background of this advocacy workshop is based on the findings of the Community Led Monitoring (CLM) project, which CoNE is currently conducting with support from TREAT Asia/ amfAR.

"The findings indicated that in 2023, 95% of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) accessing Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) from Government Hospitals in Manipur were unaware of the HIV/AIDS Act, 2017" .

He continued that in the past three months, CoNE with support from the SASEA platform, conducted awareness sessions to improve legal knowledge among the PLHIV community regarding the HIV/AIDS Act.

"These sessions revealed that many individuals living with HIV conceal their issues due to limited information about legal services.

Additionally, there is a clear need for increased awareness and sensitization within educational institutions in the State.

Consequently, the number of cases reported to the Ombudsman has risen", he added.

RK Nalinikanta also highlighted that the HIV/AIDS Act, 2017, was the result of 15 years of efforts by the Government of India to support the rights and well-being of those affected by HIV and healthcare workers.

"Its primary objectives include preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, protecting the rights of affected individuals, and prohibiting discrimination against those living with the virus", he added.

He also lamented that despite the grievance redressal mechanism in place, individuals in the PLHIV community often lack empowerment to assert their rights and access necessary legal support.

"Recognizing the importance of empowering those living with H1.V, CONE is facilitating collaboration among stakeholders, including MSACS and MASLSA to organise a workshop aimed at enhancing collaboration and improving the implementation of existing legislation for greater impact", added RK Nalinikanta.

Dr Kh Sasheekumar Mangang, State Ombudsman, delivered a lecture on the topic, "Achievements, Limitations, and Paths for Improvement of the State Ombudsman".

Dr S Jupiter, Deputy Director, CST Division, MSACS, spoke on "Strengthening Community Engagement and Rights Awareness Under the HIV/ AIDS Act 2017" while Ch Momon Singh, Advocate and MASLSA panel member, elaborated on "Accessing Justice: The Provision of Free Legal Aid Services for PLHIV Under the MASLSA Scheme" .

Basanta Wareppa, Law Officer, Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), covered the "Roles of MHRC in Ensuring the Right to Health" .

The presentations were followed by a discussion session moderated by Dr Kh Lokeshwar Singh, Medical Superintendent, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal.

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shambanduram Irananda Singh, Project Coordinator.

Representatives from MSACS, MASLSA, NGOs working in the field of HIV & Drugs, and community organisations participated in the workshop.

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