World AIDS Day - Members of the Lagislative Assembly Come out to Campaign

Stop AIDS : Keep the Promise – Leadership, is the theme for this years’ World AIDS Day. Wide Angle Social Development Organisation participated the mass rally jointly organized by the Manipur State AIDS Control Society and its NGO partners. The rally started from the Palace Compound and ended at THAU ground which was received by the honorable Governor along with the Chief Minister of Manipur. Addressing the observance of the World AIDS Day the Governor Dr. S S Sidhu gave his assurance to explore possibilities of special steps for the state and would urge the Union health ministry as well as NACO to envision "special steps" for Manipur in the light of the high prevalence of the infections. he also asserted the need for looking into the aspect of care and support for orphans by voluntary organizations, it may be noted that Wide Angle has been running a orphan home for HIV infected and affected girl children supported by the Ministry of Women and Child as a one year pilot project, we have completed the said time frame last year now the home is run by generous public contributions which is very hard to implement for a resource poor state like ours. He noted that, "It is a call or appeal to the government and policy makers seeking their response to ensure that they are in the forefront for the fight against HIV and AIDS."

The chief minister, Okram Ibobi in his presidential address said, "There is no room for procedural delay or compliancy in implementing the programmes for HIV/AIDS. These will only fuel the epidemic. The time has come to use all the resources at our disposal to fight AIDS."Pointing out that Manipur is one of the first states in the country to frame a State AIDS Policy, the CM said that time has come to revise the policy framed in 1996 to incorporate issues of women and children. Ibobi also highlighted the need of taking up HIV/AIDS awareness programmes constituency-wise so that each MLA can get involved. He opined that religious leaders, meira paibi, and other community leaders should get involve in massive scale. According to official estimates, more than 599 lives had been claimed by the dreaded disease in Manipur since its first detection in 1991 and currently 27,961 people including 7,106 women are living with the disease. Out of the 27,961 people living with HIV/AIDS, 5,464 including 2,108 women are currently undergoing ART provided by the Manipur AIDS Control Society, as of October this year.

The organization also participated earlier during the day a World AIDS Day observation program organized by the Manipur Legislators` Forum on HIV/AIDS (MLFA -which is first of is kind in the whole country) at the Manipur Assembly Secretariat`s office premises. The chief guest of the observation, Dr S Buddhichandra, speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly and chairman of MLFA, He asserted the need for putting a full stop to HIV/AIDS in Manipur. The observation was presided by E Dwijamani, MLA & chairman of Pollution Control Board. The keynote address was delivered by MLA Dr Irengbam Ibohalbi, secretary MLFA. MLA Dr H Borajao and MLA M Thorii were the guests of honour. A rally led by the honorable Speaker & MLA of the legislative assembly proceeded towards the THAU ground where the main World AIDS Day observation is being held.