IMPHAL, December 1: Manipur today joined the world in observing the World AIDS Day under the global theme of ‘Getting to Zero’.
The Community Network for Empowerment, CoNE and the Manipur State Legal Services Authority jointly observed the World AIDS Day at the former’s conference hall today, under the theme of “Getting to Zero”.
Addressing the observation as the chief guest, member secretary MASLSA Ch Brajachand Singh opined that People Living With HIV/AIDS should be aware of the legal provisions and be in touch with the legal clinics provided by CoNE to avail of the legal benefits.
He further expressed upon the need of those in the rural areas of the state to be aware of the legal provisions.
There are Legal Act Clinics organized under CoNE in six districts of the state with several volunteers helping out, he observed.
The MASLSA member secretary also elaborated on the need for the people to work hand in hand with the NGOs and civil bodies to bring a solution to the issue of HIV/AIDS.
District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East, A Guneshwar Sharma attended as the guest of honour, president CoNE RK Nolikanta attended as the president.
In yet another observation, the Manipur Network of Positive People, MNP+; Social Awareness Service Organisation, SASO; Care Foundation and VIHAAN SCCs also observed the day at the conference hall of Hotel Tampha.
The observation was held under the theme of “Getting to Zero: Zero new infection, zero related death, zero discrimination.”
Asst Professor, ART, Nodal Officer, JNIMS speaking as the guest of honour said that in today’s society, the people are much aware about the issue at hand.
However, awareness alone is not enough; people need to understand how to prevent HIV/AIDS from spreading and what the root causes of transmission are, he added.
He further urged all not to discriminate against anyone living with HIV/AIDS.
PLWAIDS should also be able to provide the needed awareness against the HIV/AIDS to the people especially the youth, he opined.
Imphal West DC, K Radhakumar speaking as the chief guest said there are 4 million PLWAIDS in the world out of which Manipur has 43 thousand.
He said surveys will be completed in the districts where it is yet to be conducted at the earliest.
Our Bishnupur Correspondent adds: As in other parts of the world, Bishnupur district also witnessed the World AIDS Day observation at several places.
The District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit, DAPCU, Bishnupur also observed the day at the office campus of the People’s Resource Development Association, PRDA, Bishnupur under the theme “Share Responsibility strengthening for an AIDS free generation.”
Bishnupur DC Jason A Shimray attended the programme as the chief guest while Chief Medical Officer, Bishnupur presided over the function with Medical Superintendent Bishnupur Dr H Babychand attending as guest of honour.
DC Jason A Shimray lighted the inaugural lamp of the formal function.
Meanwhile, addressing the function as resource person, secretary PRDA L Suranjoy elaborated on the need of the students to understand the issue properly and take a definitive responsibility towards making the future AIDS free.
He continued that the children who were with his office some 15 years are now all grown up.
A girl amongst them expressed that one of her teammates had proposed to her to be his life partner, he said.
Now, the girl is on ART, a fact which the boy is unaware of, he said before adding that it might be an issue.
There are several other such issues, which calls for attention, help and support from all, he observed.
He further urged the DLOs present to give priority to the PLWAIDS in case of any welfare schemes in their departments.
Another resource person of the programme, Senior psychiatrist, District Hospital Bishnupur, Dr Angomcha said even though people are aware of the bad effects of certain habits, they find it hard to give them up and risk their lives.
Unless, people take it upon themselves to change for the better, the issue of HIV/AIDS will only increase, he opined.
Meanwhile, seven institutions of the district- ICTC of District Hospital Bishnupur; CHC, Nambol; CHC, Moirang; PHC, Ningthoukhong; PHC, Kumbi; PPTCTC, District Hospital Bishnupur and ARTC District Hospital Bishnupur and four targeted intervention NGOs- DPU, Kumbi; ESEWOSSA, Moirang, Care Foundation, Nambol; Maruploi Foundation, Bishnupur were honoured and awarded for their works in the field.
The formal function was however, preceded by a rally participated by students of different schools and colleges of the district.
The rally was flagged off by District AIDS Officer, Bishnupur Dr W Purnima and CMO Bishnupur, Dr Ng Hemantakumar from CI College gate.
In another observation of the day, the National Service Scheme of the Royal Academy of Law, Oinam also organized a social service camp.
Around 50 volunteers participated to clean up the campus of the academy during the camp.
As part of the observation, an awareness programme was also held at the conference hall of the same academy with the academy principal, I Jugeshwaor and lecturer M Mina Devi delivering lectures on HIV/AIDS and Law.
The day was also observed at Kamuching Village, Sadar Hills, Saikul Block organized by the Child Care Project, Bridge of Hop, Keithelmanbi of Believers Church.
The observation at held at the Kamuching Independent Baptist Church, with the pastor of the church Jn Mang Kipen and Bridge of Hope, Keithelmanbi project center, project co-ordinator Parhai Yaima Maring as resource persons.
Later in the day a rally was also taken out in the neighbouring areas.
The World AIDS day was also observed at Moreh and the function, jointly organized by various NGOs such as New Generation (NG), Dedicated Peoples’ Union (DPU), Organization of Social Development (SDO) and Organization for Salvation of Man (OSOM) which are working under MACS at Moreh.