Imphal, December 18: Church leaders in Chandel district irrespective of their denomination and affiliation have given their commitment to fight the onslaught of HIV/AIDS and make Manipur free of the disease.

The commitment was given during a one-day district level advocacy programme on HIV/AIDS for Church leaders at Thamlakhuren Community Hall today.

The advocacy programme was organised under the joint aegis of Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS), Research Centre for Social Welfare and Community development and Chandel District Christian Forum.

Addressing the congregation of Church leaders coming from different parts of Chandel district, Project Director of MACS Dr Pramodkumar said according to the medical report of 1990, the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in India have been recorded from Manipur and Nagaland.

One of the main causes for this was drug trafficking from Myanmar which led to an increase in the number of injecting drug users and presence of sex workers.

Though the spread of the disease among the IDUs have come down significantly over the years, the virus has now penetrated to the general population thereby posing a threat to the survival of human society as a whole.

In view of the gravity of the problem of HIV/AIDS which has the potential of wiping out the entire human population, it is essential to spread awareness on the preventive measures among the people, Dr Pramodkumar said, while calling upon all the NGOs working in the field to carry out their task with a sense of sincerity and dedication.

He also called for a concerted effort in fighting the menace of HIV/AIDS.

Even if the facilities for blood testing to detect the virus is now available, not more than 10 percent of the people in a year are coming to test their blood, he informed, while stressing on the need to undergo voluntary blood testing so as to arrest the spread of the virus from one individual to another.

Chandel District Christian Forum president W Roel observed that AIDS has claimed more human lives in Manipur than from the violent incidents which are occurring in different parts of the State everyday.

So to stop spread of HIV and AIDS, people should consider it the responsibility of the Govt agency or the NGOs alone, but should join hands with a sense of duty in combating the disease.

In the technical session of the programme held in the afternoon, MACS Legal Advisor Sushil Huidrom, J Simon and Dr Gina Shangkham spoke on various issues related to HIV/AIDS and its implication in the society as resource persons.

The technical session was followed by a lively interactive session between the resource persons and the participating church leaders.

Afterward a joint resolution toward contributing their mite in fight against the disease and its further spread was arrived at unanimously.

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