Strengthening CBO necessary to ensure proper life for people with HIV, says IK Muivah
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 23 2019: IGP (Administration) Manipur, IK Muivah has opined that strengthening the network of Civil Body Organisation (CBO) which are working in issues related to drugs, is necessary for ensuring a proper and satisfactory life for the people who are living with HIV or Hepatitis C.He made the statement during the 8th anniversary observation of Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) which was held at Classic Grande today.

Speaking at the event, IK Muivah said that the Government agencies as well as the public are mostly ignorant when it comes to the topic of HIV and drug related issues and only organisations such as CoNE and those networks or groups working in the said fields are aware of the necessary informations.

To ensure that the people with HIV and those who are experiencing any of the drug related issues, are given proper rights and status as all the other people, it is imperative to strengthen the networks of CoNE and other similar organisations, he added.

Strengthening CBO necessary to ensure proper life for people with HIV, says IK Muivah

Pointing out that CoNE is an organisation working to dispel the myth about drug users in the society and which is also a major influencer when it comes to Government policies regarding the drug use, IK Muivah said that when he was IGP of Sajiwa Central Jail, such networks/organisations were of great help in organising HIV tests for the prisoners and they even helped in treating he patients, sometimes even taking them out to a treatment facility.

At a recent conclave of Manipur police, issues on HIV and drug abuse were also discussed, he said, adding that plans are being made to establish a rehabilitation centre for any police personnel who is found using drugs.

CoNE and other CBOs will be consulted to make this a reality, he added.

On the other hand, IK Muivah said that sometimes, incidents occur due to misunderstanding between police and people working in the networks/organisations and as such, steps will be taken up to get rid of such instances by organising workshops and other programme for both parties, he said.

Pointing out that Manipur is undergoing a drug abuse crisis, IK Muivah appealed the organisations and NGOs to work sincerely and diligently.

On the other hand, CoNE president RK Nalinikanta said that CoNE was established in 2014 and is a network consisting of the people who are working in various groups related to drug issue in different districts of the State.

He continued that CoNE was formed with the main objective of ensuring that people who use drugs, both in the State and National level, are treated with dignity and respect as human beings.

Stating that CoNE often face many difficulties in taking up drug issue related works due to the low awareness among the general public, he said that as a a result of the hard work by CoNE, HIV Viral Load machine has been installed at RIMS which has made it possible for the HIV patients to undergo necessary tests here without the need to go to other States.

He also added that apart from this, numerous blood samples were collected from different locations of the State and an independent data concerning the Hepatitis C prevalence in the State, was produced as well.

Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) Project Director A Radhabinod Sharma and National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) State Nodal Officer Dr RK Rosie attended the event as presidium members.

Simple gifts were also handed over to people working in the field of drugs and those who supported CoNE in its ventures.