Deprivation of OST: CoNE to file case in court, NHRC
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 09 2014: Deprivation of Oral Substitution Therapy (OST) to the needy is an ill treatment and a torture and hence around 60% of the total population of people who use drugs (PUD) has been continuously tortured for the last two years, senior Advocate Khaidem Mani has exclaimed.

Addressing media persons at the office of CoNE here today, Mani, who is also the President of All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA), pointed out that according to the UN Special Rapporteur, deprivation of OST to PUD is a clear case of ill-treatment and torture.

As such around 60% of PUD population has been illegally ill-treated and tortured for more than two years now.

"There is no reason as to why the Health Minister, Government of Manipur, who has kept more than 3000 PUD under continuous ill-treatment and torture by not providing OST despite budgetary allocation for the same, be not filed a criminal case", he maintained.

Chief Minister O Ibobi had given his word during the observance of World AIDS Day, 2011 that OST would be implemented in three districts of the State namely Senapati, Thoubal and Chandel.

With exception to Senapati, the remaining two districts have been left out till today.

As such, the whole population of PUD existing in these two districts have been deprived of the benefits of OST, he asserted.

Mani said that implementation of OST is a must as it is a means for PUD to stop using illegal drugs and come back to the mainstream.

This will also help in controlling the spread of HIV & AIDS.

CoNE to file case in court, NHRC

Babloo Loitongbam, Director, Human Rights Alert (HRA), who was also present, said that Goal No.6 of MDG (Millennium Development Goal) - to halt and reverse of HIV is going to fail in Manipur as the most effective strategy for HIV prevention amongst the IDU is not yet implemented widely.

He further said that it is only police and armed forces who are often looked at as human rights violators.

However, the Government who failed to deliver services that is mandated to provide, also amounts to rights violation.

In fact, non-implementation of OST amount to continuous ill-treatment and torture of the people who are entitled to receive this service (OST), Babloo said and added that criminal case can be filed against the perpetrators.

In this case the state government is to face the trial of criminal case, Babloo exclaimed.

According to the latest validation report of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), there are 22210 injecting drug users (IDUs) in Manipur.

But in all, there are only 10 OST centres in the State.

Of these 9 centres are run by NGOs and one in Government health facility.

As per the NACO guidelines 4442 IDUs are supposed to be covered.

Now, these existing 10 OST centres are covering only 1440 IDUs with OST services.

"Despite approval of 19 sites and budget from NACO, the state has failed to implement OST for the last two years.

In other states including the neighbouring state of Nagaland, OST has been roll out and expansion is going on.

It is really a shame for our state, which is the first state to have State AIDS policy in the country, to delay in this regard" said R.K.Nalinikanta, President of CoNE.

In view of the blatant disregard to the voice and interest of people who use drugs, RK Nalinikanta further stated "we have no other option but to remind government to initiate immediate steps to scale up OST program in the state within this month failing which CoNE in collaboration with CSOs will be compelled to initiate various democratic steps.

The organisation is also all set file a case in the court and National Human Rights Commission.

Subash John Vemai, Vice President of CoNE, pointed out, "OST is widely available in Imphal but most of the hill districts has been deprived by the Government despite of huge demand.

The OST program being implemented at District Hospital, Senapati has benefitted a lot of drug user community.

But we have apprehension of closing this centre as it did some time back due to non recruitment of full time staffs for OST separately as per the guideline of NACO.

Currently this program is being managed by the existing staff of the district hospital" .

In order to achieve the desired impact on HIV transmission among IDUs, coverage of 20% of the total drug user's population with OST services is required.

Hence, National AIDS control program (NACP) is focusing on a planned expansion of OST centres in states with above mentioned percentage of IDUs populations.

OST is expected to be delivered through 320 OST sites across India which is either run by NGOs or government health institutions, he added.

Henery Touthang, from Saikul, while sharing his experience said, "We have lot of drug use problem in Saikul, sub division of Senapati including the injection of raw opium.

This created lot of health hazards besides HIV and social problem in the area.

Our CSO including the church leaders has submitted memorandum to the MSACS on the need of OST program including the list of IDUs and also held meeting with MSACS in Saikul community hall on 25th April 2013.It was informed us verbally that Saikul PHC is approved for OST program but nothing has been done till today" .

Jiten Naorem from Kakching mentioned that Chief Minister of Manipur declared the initiation of OST in three districts- Senapati, Thoubal, Moreh (Chandel) on the eve of World AIDS Day Observation, 2011.But till today the OST program is not yet implemented except Senapati.

He also questioned the credibility of our CM.

This clearly shows lack of commitment and ownership of the state while dealing the issue of HIV and drug use.

This has caused unrest amongst the population who need this service while questioning the reasons behind stopping evidence based public health response, he added.

Given the progress following the commitment made by MACS and an increasing number of IDUs in these districts unable to access OST, it could be a case of too little too late, he maintained.