IT News
Imphal, Dec 27:
A one day media Sensitization programme on HIV and AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act 2017 was held today at Manipur Press Club here in Imphal. The programme was organized by the Khelen Thokchom Trust (KTT) under the support of the Manipur State AIDS Control Society.
Chief Guest of the inaugural function of the programme Dr. Hemlata Thokchom, who is also the Deputy Director, IEC and Mainstreaming, Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) highlight the needs of organizing such media sensitization programme as there is still needs to let the people understand more about the HIV and AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act 2017, which has been published in the Manipur government Gazette on January 12, 2021.
The Deputy Director also highlighted several programme being taken up by the MACS to prevent HIV and AIDS and also discussed about the need for co-operation from both public and NGOs who are working in the field of HIV and AIDS.
President of the KTT Thokchom Memcha Devi presided over the inaugural session.
Three resource persons- Advocate K. Rabei, Editor-in-chief Ahongshangbam Mobi and RK Nalinikanta , President of the Community Network for Empowerment spoke on various aspect of the new act.
Advocate Rabei gave details of the contents of the Act in fighting the HIV and AIDS as well as in protecting the rights of the victims of HIV and AIDS. Various provisions given in the HIV and AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act 2017 has been made available to the people was explain. He said that for prevention of the discrimination of those living or affected by the HIV and AIDS the act provide room for complaint by appointing a complaint officer and Ombudsman.
For cases directly related to dignity and rights of People Living With HIV and AIDS and those potential of becoming a becoming the Ombudsman can make a penal decision like imposing of fines.
RK Nalinikanta , President of the Community Network for Empowerment while speaking on the occasion narrated the journey of introducing the act. He said that the need for such act started discussing among the stakeholders NGOs and experts since 2002. After consultation the first draft of the act was introduced on 2006 . In 2007 the draft proposal was sent for review to the law Ministry and later in 2014 it was tabled at Rajya Sabha . It was only on April 21, 2017 that the act was passed in both house of the parliament and the state of Manipur issued Gazette notification of the act in January 12, 2021.
Editor in chief of the TOM TV Ahongsangbam Mobi in his speech as resource persons highlighted the dos and don’t on the reporting of cases related to HIV and AIDS. He highlighted the guidelines provided by the Press Council of India while reporting cases related to HIV and AIDS. He also cautions reporters in using terminology which might hurt the sentiments of those affected or living with the HIV and AIDS.
