IMPHAL, May 10 � Though there is no accurate data, nearly 4,000 to 5,000 children are living with HIV in Manipur. Most of these children have lost their parents due to the pandemic and are brought up by their relatives, neighbours, locals or NGOs, according to President of Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) L Deepak.
MNP+ is the only network run by people living with HIV in Manipur. MNP+ president disclosed this on the sideline of World AIDS Orphan Day observation at the RD Wing of State Health Services at Lamphelpat in Imphal on Thursday.
�It�s high time to do something for these children,� Deepak opined, adding, �The State needs to formulate a new policy for children living with HIV.�
He said that these children need special attention � right place for their shelter, good food, education and treatment. The State Government need to pay attention to their issues and earmark fund for the welfare of the children living with HIV, he added.
The World AIDS Orphan Day observation was organised by Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), NGOs partners and MNP + along with Vihaan. Speaking on the occasion MSACS Project Director PK Jha said the infection rate of HIV in the State is still alarming.
MSAC Joint Director L Abhiram said that around 2,093 children living with HIV were registered in the State. He expressed concern that many of these children were facing stigma and discrimination. He informed that a new provision has been inserted for children in the revised State AIDS Policy, 2015, which was passed in the recently concluded State Assembly session.
