Imphal, September 18: As the utilisation certificate of the National AIDS Control Programme, Phase-II (NACPII) could be submitted in time to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) from the side of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS), implementation of Phase-III of the programme in Manipur has been unduly delayed , although implementation of the same has already been underway in other States of the country since April this year.

As a consequent of the delayed in implementation of the NACP-III in Manipur, many people living with HIV/AIDS and NGOs working under MACS have been reportedly facing lot of difficulties.

Talking to mediapersons in this connection at its office today, president of USER Manipur AK Kamad pointed out that besides non-release of fund to 57 NGOs partners of MACS working on the project of Harm Reduction programme since April this year, life saving drug, Fungizone, which is essential for prevention of Opportunistic Infection (OI) among HIV patients is not available at JN Hospital since July this year.

Furthermore from August 1 to September 14, no needle syringes have also been provided to the NGO partners on the alleged ground that there was no more needle syringes in stock and the same could not be procured due to road block.

Starting from 1998, needle syringes are being provided among the IDUs to prevent spread of HIV from one person to another under the project of Targeted Intervention.

There are in all 45 NGO partners of MACS involvement in implementation of this project through RIAC.

However, out of the total estimated population of 38,000 IDUs in Manipur, only 21,400 IDUs are being able to covered by the project so far.

Kamad contended that as no needle syringes have been provided to the IDUs during the period from August 1 to September 14, the efforts made to prevent spread of HIV/AIDS over the last 10 years have gone down the drain.

As IDUs need their daily dose of drug, there is high possibility of needle sharing among them during this period, he explained, adding that although needle syringes have been started provided from September 15, the effectiveness of the project is no questionable.

Chief of Technical Research Team of USER Manipur Kh Basantakumar, who was also present at the occasion pointed out that undue interference from various UG groups in the fund sanctioned for HIV/AIDS programme and existence of two Project Directors in MACS has created a lot of inconveniences to the NGO partners.

In connection with all these problems, USER Manipur has convened a public consultation from September 27 to 28 .

It is said the future course of action to be taken up USER Manipur would depend on the recommendations adopted in this consultation.

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