State AIDS Control Society is nearly defunct: Deepak
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 30 2014 : Though Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) has claimed that the number of HIV positive in the State has been reduced marginally, people living with HIV/AIDS have been facing untold inconveniences which the concerned authority has failed to address promptly'.

It is more disheartening that even MLAs and Health Minister have not taken up special measures to address the plight of HIV positive people, rued Leimapokpam Deepak Singh, president of Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) .

In a tete-e-tete with Hueiyen Lanpao on the eve of the World AIDS Day tomorrow, Deepak said that MNP+; SASO, Care Foundation; Kripa Society and World Vision India will be jointly observing the 27th World AIDS Day under the theme 'Getting to Zero: Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination, Zero AIDS Related Deaths' tomorrow at Hotel Imphal, North AOC.

He exuded confidence that the theme of the observance for this year would create a deep impact on minds of the people as it reflects the indifferent attitude towards HIV positive people and efforts needed to place HIV positive people in the mainstream like any other normal person.

By May 2013, total number of people living with HIV in Manipur is 43,171 including 12,137 women and 2811 children.

Expressing apprehension over the capability of the targeted intervention programmes undertaken by MACS, Deepak said that even the JNIMS has not been able to issue Green Cards meant for HIV positive people.

When the ART drugs meant for the children are not available, those meant for the adults are broken into pieces and fed to the children.

Likewise, when the ART medicines for adults are not available, those of children are given in double or triple doses, he alleged, while pointing out that there are frequent cases of disorder of CD4 Count machine while being approached for routine check-up.

Deepak further disclosed that Manipur AIDS Control Society does not have a Deputy Director for Information, Education and Communication.

Only two doctors are running the MACS with lots of vacant posts of staff, he retorted.

While saying that the present Manipur AIDS Control Society is nearly defunct, the MNP+ President urged the authority to employ experts in the field of HIV/AIDS to implement the programme.

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