IMPHAL, November 29: Manipur AIDS Control Society, MACS today called a press conference today at its office in connection with the observation of the World AIDS Day on December 1.
Speaking at the press conference, spokesperson, MACS Project Director Dr Shailesh Kumar Chourasia said as observed every year, the day will also be observed this year at the MFDC auditorium with the state Governor Gurbachan Jagat as chief guest and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh as the president.
He continued that the press conference has been called appealing to all sections of the society to work towards “Getting to Zero” which will be theme for this year’s World AIDS Day observation.
‘Getting to Zero’ is defined in terms of Zero Infection, Zero Discrimination and Zero Death, he continued.
Addressing the conference further, the Project Director also said that even though HIV/AIDS has been a prime concern for the state as all nine districts come under the high prevalence category, there has been improvement in the scene as compared to the other states.
He continued that out of 99 infants borne by mother living with HIV/AIDS, only three were found positive during checking after three months from their birth.
He also informed that ART drugs for the state are brought in from the West Bengal AIDS Control Society.
Meanwhile, coming back to the functioning of the MACS, he said it was converted into a full society in 1998 after it was started as a cell in 1990.
The press conference was also attended by MACS Deputy Director IEC, Dr RK Rosie and other officials of MACS.