Manipur observes World AIDS Day

IMPHAL, DECEMBER 1: World AIDS Day was observed widely in Manipur with the state-level function at the 1st battalion Manipur Rifles parade ground here on Thursday. This year’s theme is “Handsup for HIV prevention”. Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh was the chief guest of the function which was attended by the Health & Family Welfare Minister DK Korungthang as functional president. MLAs Y Surchandra and MLA Dr I Ibohalbi also attended the function. Speaking during the occasion, the chief minister said that the Manipur government has been planning to launch necessary awareness programme in the schools ‘to keep the young students away from the drugs.’ Besides the state is considering establishment of special homes for children living with HIV/AIDS in all the districts of the state, Ibobi assured. The chief minister inspected the stalls that were opened by nongovernmental organizations working in the field of HIV/AIDS and also giving prizes to school children for various competitions. Ibobi informed the gathering that his government was taking the health sector as ‘top priority’ by investing around 4 percent of the GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product). Also, Manipur’s Health Minister DK Korungthang expressed the need to take up awareness programmes against stigma and discrimination. The two scourges continue in the society even after progress in controlling disease in the state, he said. Said issues cannot be handled by the government alone unless there is support and cooperation from the civil society in the state, Korungthang said. Earlier in the day, a rally was undertaken with the active participation of around 30 contingents representing various agencies in Imphal. About 40,835 individuals have reported positive in Manipur, the only state to have a separate AIDS policy adopted in 1996. This year as many as 24,457 persons were living with HIV/AIDS, according to official reports. There were also reports of World AIDS Day observations in various parts of the state on Thursday.