Role of community in combating AIDS stressed
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, December 01 2019: Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar Singh has said that to eradicate HIV/AIDS, a joint effort and participation of all communities is needed.

Total eradication will be possible only when communities of all level get involved in creating awareness and a sense of equality amongst AIDS infected and others, he added.

The Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the observation of World AIDS Day, 2019, at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles, parade ground, today.

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Jayantakumar informed that human resource development is very much important in a society.

HIV victims cannot be ignored from human resource potential of a country.

Their well being and social status need to be protected and boosted so that social stigma can be prevented for the people who have HIV/AIDS.

It is the only way through which HIV positive people can coordinate with the communities at different level to eradicate HIV/AIDS, he added.

Jayantakumar said that the rank of Manipur in the graph of HIV/AIDS record in the country has declined from previous years.

This has been made possible with the dedicated and sincere efforts of the NGOs and volunteers working in this field at different levels, he said, lauding the contributions of the said volunteers and NGOs and wishing them a bright future.

The Minister also assured that the Department of AYUSH, Manipur, will be assigned to provide food and nutritional support to the HIV/AIDS infected.

Speaking as the president, Education Minister Th Radheshyam Singh said that the role of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), NGOs and volunteers working in this field to eradicate AIDS, is of great significance.

He said that the problem of HIV/ AIDS is one of the major problems being faced in the State and a survey to identify more serious HIV families needs to be sorted out by NGOs and MSACS.

Thus a joint effort involving all communities to eradicate HIV/AIDS is the call of the hour, the Minister added.

Prior to the main function, a motorcycle and bicycle rally attended by Royal Riders Manipur (RRM) was flagged off by the Health and Family Welfare Minister from the western gate of Kangla.

Later, Jayantakumar also flagged off a public rally, which was attended by health officials and staff, NGOs and volunteers working in different levels, from Urban Health Centre, Singjamei.

On the other hand, during the evening session, a music contest titled 'Red Ribbon Manipur Idol Music Contest', was held.

Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the event, Joint Director of MACS, Dr Lucy Duidang said that the music contest was organised by the State Aids Control Society and National AIDS Control, and explained that the grand finale was held today following various district auditions earlier.

The motto of the music contest is to fight HIV/AIDS through music, and it aims to spread awareness regarding transmission of HIV/AIDS.

60 percent of the new infection occurs among people belonging to the age group of 15 to 29 years, the Joint Director said, adding that 7 bands are taking part in the grand finale, representing 5 districts.

The winner will represent the State in the N/E Multimedia Campaign which will be held in Manipur on December 18, Lucy added.