Imphal, Dec 1: Manipur today joined the globe in observing the World AIDS Day. The day is observed at various places of the state. The main function organised at 1st MR Parade Ground organised by the Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) was attended by the Chief Minister as the Chief Guest.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said that awareness programme on drug abuse will be introduced in school curriculum as a measure to spread awareness about the ill effect of drugs to the young students.
The Chief Minister also assured to initiate procedure for awarding one time grant of Rs. 1 crore to MACs inorder to strengthen the activities being carried out by the MACS for supporting those people living with HIV and AIDS including the Children.
This year World AIDS Day is being observed under the theme “Hands Up for HIV Prevention. As per official record, till September 2016, number of people living with HIV and AIDS have reached 24,4,457 and total number of HIV positive people is 40,835.
HIV prevalence among the adult is 1.15% and among the pregnant women is 0.60%. The report said that Children Living with HIV and AIDS is around 3000.
: District AIDS Prevention & Control Committee (DAPCC), Bishnupur in association with Lions Club of Kumbi Greater has also observed WORLD AIDS DAY-2016 at Ideal Academy Kumbi, Kumbi Keithel, Bishnupur district today the 1st December, 2016 at 10 am.
Speaking to gathering, Dr W Gulapi Singh, Senior ART Officer, Bishnupur District said that Manipur is among highest HIV prevalence states in the country affecting 1.57% of the youths population.
As per reports available at various ICTCs, PPTCTC, FICTCs, ART centres, Link ART Centers, TI NGOs, Community Service Centers, OPIOD Substitute Therapy and TI-STI of Bishnupur district, the number of High Risk Group is 444 FSW (Female Sex Worker, 285 MSM (Male Sex with Male) and 1241 IDU (intravenous Drug Users). In the district a total number of 510 people including male, female, transgender and children are registered at ART centres and 363 are living on ART, the resource person stated.
Further Dr Gulapi said that with the advancement of medical sciences HIV/ AIDS is now a ‘manageable chronic disease’ and no more a deadly.
Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur Distrct, M Harekrishna (IAS), who attended the observance function as Chief Guest said that Manipur is infamous for HIV/AIDS in the county due to high prevalence of HIV affected people. However, the rate of prevalence of this virus has significantly decreased in the recent years.
In her presidential speech, Chief Medical Officer of Bishnupur District, Dr H Babychand Devi has appealed the people to extend their hands in fighting against HIV/AIDS and create mass preventive awareness in the state.
Ningthoujam ongbi Ibecha Devi, Chairperson of Kumbi Municipal Council and Lion K Tejamani Singh, Zonal Chairperson of Lions Clubs International, District 322D also attended the function as guests of honour.
As part of the observance, students of schools under Kumbi assembly constituency, members of Lions Club Kumbi Greater, Kumbi Municipal Council, NGO, clubs, meira paibi, teaching community, youths and elders of the area have carried out a rally from Kumbi Keithel to Leirak Achouba.
Dignitaries also distributed prizes and citations to students who participated at World AIDS DAY on the occasion.
