Ukhrul scribes sensitised on new HIV/AIDS Act
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, September 03 2022: Media play a significant role in educating and creating awareness among the masses on prevention of HIV/AIDS.

However, in doing so, journalists and media persons need to have a good grasp of the varied challenges associated with the AIDS epidemic.

Taking cognizance of this, Khelen Thokchom Trust (KTT) on Saturday organised a one-day media workshop to acquaint working journalists based in Ukhrul district with a clear understanding for reporting on AIDS and related issues following the recent adoption of new HIV/AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act, 2017.The day-long workshop held at Shalom Lodge, Winotang in Ukhrul town was attended by Trust advisor Irengbam Arun, and AIDS Con trol Officer, Ukhrul/Kamjong Dr Yuithingla Vashum as presidium members.

In his speech, Irengbam Arun recalled the proactive role played by late Khelen Thokchom throughout his life as a senior journalist.

Given his immense concern for journalists, sensitising media persons in this manner of workshop is a befitting tribute to the departed journalist, he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Trust functionary Sobhabati Samom highlighted the need of media in creating public awareness about AIDS.

Referring to the context of Ukhrul district, he said that though the district currently has no print newspapers, it still continues to play its role through correspondents of state papers and digital platforms.

Functionaries of Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) State TI coordinator Ksh Deepak, IEC & Mainstreaming Omajit Leishangthem and IEC & Mainstreaming assistant director Phanjoubam Lanngamba attended as resource persons of the Workshop programme.

Giving a basic concept of HIV/AIDS, Deepak said that the battle against the AIDS pandemic has come a long way since adoption of HIV policy following detection of the first AIDS case in the state from a drug user back in 1990."But, despite intervention to check the epidemic continuously for the past two decades, there has been little progress in the fight against the disease," he said.

Over the years, the mode of transmission of AIDS has evolved from injecting route to sexual route, he said, adding that sexual transmission has become a major concern.

Explaining on the prevailing scenario of prevalence among adults aged 15-49 years, Deepak said that while the overall prevalence rate in the country stands at 0.22 percent, that of Mizoram is 2.3 percent which is the highest in the country, followed by 1.44 percent in Nagaland and 1.5 percent in Manipur.

He also said that the prevalence rate is alarming in both Ukhrul and Kamjong districts with Ukhrul logging 1.7 percent and Kamjong 1.6 percent.

He then sought support and cooperation from all stakeholders including village authorities, Churches, civil society organisations, NGOs and others to join hands in fighting the social disease, adding that MACS alone would not be able to eliminate AIDS.

Deepak shared a toll-free number 1097 which could be used by public for an HIV related queries, and also informed that public can also use NACO AIDS App on their smartphones to access information related to AIDS.

Speaking during the workshop, Omajit highlighted the various legal provisions under the newly-adopted HIV/AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act 2017.He said that as in other states, Manipur also has the service of an Ombudsman for the protection of those infected with HIV under the Act.

As per the Act, people with HIV/AIDS are protected and they should not be discriminated on the basis of their HIV status.

He said that there has been a Case against disclosure of identity of a HIV/AIDS patient which was brought to the notice of the Ombudsman in the state.

In his presentation, Lanngamba dwelt on basic media ethics pertaining to reporting on HIV/AIDS.

He said that media reports should be objective, factual and sensitive which should not disclose the identity of HIV infected persons.

The workshop was attended by Ukhrul-based journalists, Khelen Thokchom Trust officials and others.

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