Chief Minister warns to blacklist NGOs found misusing funds
IMPHAL, December 1: Spreading public awareness on HIV/AIDS is the key to control further spread of the virus asserted Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today.
The World AIDS Day was also observed in the State organised by the Manipur State AIDS Control Society at the 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground today under the theme `Getting To Zero.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, the Chief Minister said even though the number of people living with AIDS has been reportedly declining it is still an alarming issue and needs a united front against it.
The Chief Minister came out strongly against NGOs working in the field who are not concerned
He warned NGOs working in the field of stern action if they are found misusing funds meant for spreading awareness. He said any organisation found misusing the funds will be blacklisted.
Elaborating that allowing the dreaded virus to spread among the youth of the State will be disastrous and there will be no possibility of producing more sports person from the region, he appealed to the people to work together and eradicate the spread of HIV.
Health and Family Welfare minister Phungzathang Tonsing who presided over the observation said in the past, most infections were through sharing of needles to inject drugs; however, today it is spreading through unprotected sexual intercourse.
The rate of HIV infection among women and children in the last decade or so has increased much, he added.
The State Health minister further appealed to the people for co-operation in the various works undertaken by the Manipur State AIDS Control Society against the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh also released the HIV Sentinel Surveillance Bulleting 2012 and CMIS Bulleting 2012 and further launched the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission, PPTCT programme.
A blood donors`™ rally was also taken out as part of the observation.
Appreciation certificates were given to four professors of RIMS for their work on the issue. Winners of various competitions held in connection with the day were also given cash prizes along with certificates.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO), Care Foundation, World Vision India, Kripa Society, VIHAAN CSCs also observed the day under the theme `Getting Zero: Zero new infection, Zero AIDS related death, Zero discrimination` at the conference hall of Hotel Tampha.
Delivering the keynote address, MNP+ president L Deepak lamented the State of neglecting the interest of the number of those living with the HIV virus reached 40,000 in the State alone.
He said every year, the government has failed to earmark any fund for those living with AIDS in the State budget, even though ministers, MLAs and State officials have been delivering splendid speeches on the issue.
Instead of just delivering speeches, it would be better if these ministers, MLAs, officials start being practical and turn their speeches into actions, he asserted.
Works undertaken up in the State on the issue are all global funding sanction through NACO, he said.
Director Family Welfare, RK Rajo Singh; general secretary MNP+ Udita Salam; Department of Medicine, nodal officer ART centre JNIMS, Kh Lokeshwar Singh; joint director of Directorate of Health Services, Dr S Manikanta Singh also attended the observation.
Our LAMKA Correspondent adds: The day was also observed in many parts of Lamka today, with the main function being held at the Churachandpur District Hospital where the deputy commissioner of Churachandpur Lunminthang Haokip handed over 77 job cards, MGNREGS to people living with AIDS and another 100 AAY cards.
Speaking at the function, the DC said AIDS is costing more lives than the casualty of both the world wars put together.
Awareness is what we need, he said and elaborated awareness should be spread in the interior parts of the State where the people are more ignorant.
Spread awareness only in the towns should be stopped, he said.
At the sametime, people living with AIDS should be positive in live.
Our Bishnupur Correspondent adds: As in other parts of the world, the World AIDS Day was also observed in Bishnupur. CSC VIHAAN, Bishnupur Network of Positive People (BNP+) had organised the 27th World AIDS Day 2014 with the theme `Getting to Zero, Zero New Infection, Zero AIDS related death, zero discrimination,` at Thiyam Hall opposite the Bishnupur Municipal Council today.
Former Revenue minister Kh Pulinkanta, Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System convener L (o) Ngambi and additional director (retd) Family Welfare W Gulapi attended the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour, respectively.
Gulapi said People`™s Living with HIV/AIDS should take balance diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
He said the people should work together to reach the vision of zero new infection, zero AIDS related death and zero discrimination.
If we work together, the day will not be far when a person living with AIDS will be able to open up about his condition, he said.
Several people living AIDS and representatives of NGOs also participated the observation.
At the same time, the Red Ribbon Club, NYHA Toubul Youth Development Association, TYDA and the Nehru Yuva Kendra, Bishnupur also organised a painting competition in connection with the day at the office premise of the TYDA.
Around 40 students participated in the competition conducted in three categories `“nursery to class III; class IV to VI and class VII to X.
Tamenglong: Members of the AWARE conducted a play on AIDS as part of the World AIDS day observation at the Indoor Stadium, Tamenglong district headquarter today.
The observation was organised by the Tamenglong District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee under the theme `Getting to Zero, Zero New Infection, Zero AIDS related death, zero discrimination.`
The observation was attended by Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei as the chief guest, ADC, Tamenglong member Charles Khumjanang as guest of honour and deputy commissioner RH Gonmei as president.
MNP+ Tamenglong submitted a memorandum to the chief guest to provide some assistance in the construction of its own office at the district headquarter, which was agreed by the MLA.
Other highlights of the day were quiz, sloganeering, essay writing and a candle lighting ceremony.
The day was also observed at the office of AWARE with chief medical officer, Tamenglong Dr Chambo Gonmei as the chief guest.
Our Jiribam Correspondent adds: Calling upon the people to stand united against AIDS, Jiribam additional SP O Menjor Singh said instead of getting involved in violent activities by lobbing bombs, using guns to shoot at one another and trying to kill one aother, it is better and at the same time more necessary to join hands and fight such dreadful diseases like the AIDS.
He was speaking as the chief guest of the World AIDS Day observation at the conference hall of the All Jiribam Meira Paibee office at the Nupi Lal Complex, Babupara, Jiribam.
The day was organised by the World AIDS Day Observation Committee and the All Jiribam Meira paibees, Jiri Ima Meira paibee Apunba Lup, WACAK and JIMWAK.
Menjor said we are living in a develop world today and we should help one another to live peacefully and enjoy life.
Child Welfare Ashram, CWA, Jiribam chief functionary S Iboton Singh; TIPTEEDS, Jiribam chief functionary Elizabeth L Thienghlim; CWA general secretary RK Bijoysana Singh; AJMP, Jiribam president S Sushila Devi; JIMPAL president H Mema Devi; WACAK, Jiribam president N Nivarani Devi and JIMWAK, Jiribam president Th Jini Devi attended as president and guests of honour respectively.
Speaking as a resource person, Jiribam government Higher Secondary School, lecturer H Rajen Kumar Singh elaborated on how the HIV is spread, how HIV infected persons are unable to come out in the open and get more harm in the process, conducting HIV test before marriage, etc.
The observation was also attended by representatives from several civil society organisations, meira paibee organisations and others.