IMPHAL | Dec 1: “It is our prime duty to treat every individual with human touch and make them avail all the essential human rights” chief minister N.Biren Singh said a state level observance of World AIDS Day, under the theme ‘ Right To Health’ held at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles ground.
He began the invocation of his speech by praising the dedication and commitment of all stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and said that this year Manipur’s situation improved to rank 5th in HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the country, down from the highest last year.
“I really appreciate the endless effort, hard work and dedication of all NGOs, Manipur state AIDS control society (MSACS). Without them we may not have been able to bring down our ranking”, he added.
He urged the member of Manipur AIDS control society to update any information related to HIV/AIDS in time to chief minister’s office. “As MACS and NGOs have in-depth knowledge about the problem of HIV/AIDS, we can bring up with more effective and meaningful welfare schemes if MSACS and NGOs inform us and discuss the current scenarios or problems of HIV/AIDS infected person.”
We should always think of giving them privilege so that they may not be disheartened at any cost, he added.
He continued that rehabilitation centre is the safest place for controlling HIV/AIDS in our state. However in many rehab centres HIV/AIDS infected person are not given admission. We should not take this issue very lightly and will investigate these centres, he said.
Dwelling on one of the major steps in tackling HIV/AIDS problem, he said since drugs addiction is the main factor of causing HIV/AIDS problem in our society, the present government had conducted a mass drive against drugs and other intoxicants.
He announced policies and programme that the government is planning to take up in the near future. “The government is planning to launch a financial support schemes to reach all needy people, such as orphanages and old age homes, specially-abled or differently-abled people and widows,” he declared.
With the aim of lowering Hepatitis-C cases, which is very prone among HIV/AIDS infected persons, the state government has taken up an initiative of acquiring Hepatitis-C testing equipment by January next year, he added.
Till today the state government is providing free diagnosis for 57 different items in government medical institution and result is more or less similar to private diagnosis centre, he pointed out.
Later he urged the government doctors and official concerned to advise the public that the test result from government diagnosis centre is trustworthy and not inferior to that of private centre.
He further advised all to lodge any kind of complaints with proof at the Grievance Cell and Anti-Corruption Cell open at CM’s secretariat from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. if they face any form of abnormalities from government employees’ side.
In his presidential speech Health and Family Welfare minister L. Jayanta Kumar said that HIV/AIDS is the greatest enemy of right to life which is the fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian constitution.
Strong and collective effort with determination can fight the menace of HIV/AIDS at grass roots level, he suggested.
The other dignitaries who participated were Forest and Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar, Manipur Industrial Development Corporation (MANIDCO) Chairman Yumnam Radheshyam, Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Chairman Laishram Radhakishore, MLA of Tamenglong constituency Samuel Jendai, MLA of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa constituency S Subhaschandra, Chief Secretary R.R. Rashmi, administrative secretaries and heads of departments.
The programme started with a mass rally from Hao Ground Pishumthong and was flagged off by project director of MACS Valentina Arambam.
As part of the occasion a food testing laboratory called food safety on wheels was inaugurated followed by a released of a book entitled, ‘The Pink Book : Your Guide for Safe and Nutritious Food at Home’.
In relation to today’s observation ceremony prizes were also distributed for spot painting competition held in connection with the World Aids Day. A shumang leela titled Yaifare Yaifare by artistes of Manipur Youth Cultural Organisation titled was also staged.
Opening song by children of Manipur Network of Positive people (MNP+) and closing song by children of Carmel Jyoti, Koirengei were also performed.
At the end of the programme, all the dignitaries lead by Chief Minister visited all the 14 self-help group stalls displayed as part of the programme.
Source: Imphal Free Press
