IMPHAL, December 1: Maintaining that the State government is taking the issue of HIV/AIDS seriously, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh asserted that the government is making earnest efforts to avail free HIV test and ART centres in Community Health Centres and Primary Heath Centres mainly in the hill districts to curb the menace of dreadful HIV/AIDS.
The CM was speaking during observation of World AIDS Day organized by Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) at 1st Manipur Rifles ground here today.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Ibobi said that facilities provided to HIV infected persons of BPL families have also been availed to APL families following revision of Manipur State AIDS Prevention and Control Policy.
The State besides leading in the field of sports, art and culture, was awarded for registering lowest Infant Mortality Rate in the country which is a notable achievement, he acknowledged.
Regretting that the State still recorded high in HIV/AIDS infection as compared to other States arising needs for prompt measures to reduce the infection rate, he appreciated the fact that there was no news of HIV/AIDS infection, death relating to the disease and discrimination in the last three years.
The CM made a fervent appeal to NGOs, doctors and people to meet this year theme of World AIDS Day ‘Getting to Zero’ by working collectively in unison with the government.
Stressing on the need for organizing mass public awareness on HIV/AIDS, Ibobi applauded MACS for taking up effective awareness programmes on HIV/AIDS mainly in the villages under the funding from the State Budget.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing who presided over the observation said that the rate of HIV/AIDS infection in the State has been reduced in the last few years but more efforts are needed to meet the ‘Getting to Zero’ theme.
Expressing grave concern on the alarming figure of HIV/AIDS Prevalence Rate amongst pregnant women, the Minister said that injecting drug users and sexual route are two major issues threatening reduction of HIV/AIDS infection in the State.
He envisaged that the rate of HIV/AIDS infection can be reduced considerably if sharing of injecting equipments and sexual route are controlled.
As part of the observation, CM Ibobi inaugurated a Voluntary Blood Donation Camp. Six doctors were also awarded in recognition of their valuable contribution towards curbing HIV/AIDS infection in the State.
To mark the occasion, a rally participated by 37 contingents from NGOs was taken from Chingamathak Hao Ground to 1st MR ground.
Ibobi along with other dignitaries also inspected stalls opened by self-help groups in connection with the observance function.
The World AIDS Day observation was also attended by Commerce & Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam; Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar; MLA Y Surchandra Singh; Commissioner (Health & Family Welfare) PK Singh; Project Director of MACS PK Jha; NGO representatives and several government officials.