IMPHAL, Feb 9: The Manipur State Aids Control Society (MACS) has failed to take up substantial welfare measures for people living with HIV even though adequate funds are released regularly from National Aids Control Organization (NACO), stated the president of BJP Manipur State Unit, Sh. Shantikumar Sharma during a press conference held today at the office of BJP Manipur.
The president Shantikumar further stated that the MACS has even failed to supply the very much needed ART drugs for the PLHIV. There have been reports from the nodal officers of various ART Centres that the stock of ART drugs in the state will not last more than two days, he said.
It is a grim situation for the PLHIV to face such problems of non-availability of ART drugs mainly due to the failure of MACS which is headed by the Chief Minister as chairman. The non-availability of ART drugs has made a kind of psychological harassment to the PLHIV who are fighting for survival against all odds, Shantikumar asserted.
The media secretary of BJP Manipur, Laimayum Bashanta stated that the MACS has received funds from the NACO for the establishment of two ART centres at Senapati and Bishnupur. However, the negligence of the state government has delayed the establishment of such centres even if the required fund has been deposited in the exchequer of the state government.
He said that the works can be implemented as soon as the state cabinet takes a decision but so far such things have not been accomplished. It is a clear sign of the PLHIV being neglected by the state government.
Bashanta further asserted that Chief Minister Ibobi have made the recruitment process of police personnel fast and steady even without the approval of Ministry of Home Affairs, but he seems to take no interest in the centrally sponsored schemes of the PLHIV.
Moreover, the administration of MACS needs to be streamlined. The existence of two project directors is a hindrance to the functioning of MACS. He also urged the concerned authority of MACS to quickly release funds for RIMS which has been listed as one of the centres of excellence.
