Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 10 2008:
MEDIA PERSONS of the state have suggested many key issues which need to be checked by the implementing agencies and NGOs, in order to help further spread awareness among the people on HIV/AIDS in the state.
The suggestions were placed during a short but responsive discussion session on Media's role in spreading continuous awareness program on HIV/AIDS in the state held in the conference hall of Hotel Nirmala here tonight.
Ms Penny Richards, Senior Program Officer, Avahan India AIDS Initiative, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Ms Aarthi Pai, Program Manager of Centre for Advocacy and Research initiated the discussion.
A group of media persons of the state including some editors who attended the discussion wanted the role of the NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS to be more opened and media-friendly in their battle against the epidemic.
The media persons expected cooperation from the NGOs and other support groups working in the field in finding means to combat the disease.
Ms Penny Richards, who was formerly a BBC reporter, addressing the group of media persons, invited suggestions and opinions on the role of the local media on issues relating to stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS.
Avahan India AIDS initiatives has been supporting numerous targeted HIV prevention interventions in Manipur and Nagaland amongst the injecting drug users,through Project ORCHID.
In the third phase of the National AIDS Control Program being rolled out from 2007-2012 the goal is to halt and Reverse the epidemic in India.According to Aarthi Pai,the third phase is focusing on intervention programmes in North East states besides offering opportunity to address some continuing concerns such as stigma and discrimination faced by the vulnerable population.