BJP uncovers laxity of govt in treatment and control of HIV/AIDS in state
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, February 09, 2011: Manipur Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unearthed a startling revelation of total disregard by the government of the State on the issue of control and treatment of HIV/AIDS by dilly-dallying the establishment of two ART administering centers for which funds have been reportedly sanctioned by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).

"NACO has already sanctioned funds for the establishment of two ART dispensing centers in Senapati district to Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) for 2010-11, but nothing has so far been done in this regard," said BJP Manipur secretary L Basanta in a press conference held in its office in in Imphal.

The State unit of BJP has revealed the irregularity being directed by the party's anti-corruption cell based in Delhi.

On being enquired by the State BJP, MACS authority has reportedly said that the State cabinet needs to first approve the projects before they are rolled out and as of now a clearance to that effect has not been forthcoming.

The chief minister, Okhram Ibobi Singh, must call a cabinet meeting at the earliest to affect clearance and expedite the establishing of the two ART centers sanctioned for Senapati, L Basanta said.

In order to highlight the gravity of the situation, BJP State president Shantikumar said that in Manipur close to 40 thousand persons are tested positive with the deadly HIV virus with only about 5 lacs been tested so far.

If the entire 25 lacs population is tested, the number could be worst.

Given the sorry state, how the chief minister can disregard the issue, he asked, adding that the government should take full responsibility in controlling and treating HIV/AIDS in the State.

Shantikumar said that today's press meeting was necessitated by an admission by a doctor who declared a couple of days back that the State has an ART stock to last for just 2 more days.

"The chief minister should clarify at the earliest as to how ART ran in short supply given the prevalence rate of HIV in the State which is one of the most advance in the country," he said.

Given the grave situation of HIV/AIDS in the State with the highest number of positive people living with the virus in the country, the negligence by the State government is condemnable and the BJP "strongly condemns" the laxity of the government, he said.

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