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Candle light memorial for AIDS victims

By Sobhapati Samom

IMPHAL, May 21 � Seven teams have been formed to find out the real grievances of more than 40,000 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in Manipur.

�We have constituted seven committees to find out the actual problems of the PLHA in an effort to solve HIV/AIDS issue in the State,� Project Director of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) Dr Shailash Kumar Chaurasia said. �The next step will be looking after their requirements.�

Dr Chaurasia was speaking at a function held here in connection with the 29th International AIDS candle light memorial today. He further informed that the teams will be submitting their recommendations within the shortest possible time. A kind of policy would be adopted on its basis, once it was tabled in the State Cabinet meeting. The Project Director also hoped that such steps will help the community in achieving a self sustainable living in fighting the dreaded menace.

Superintendent of Manipur Central Jail IK Muivah, besides founder member of Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), a network of PLHA in the State Leimapokpam Deepak, Sobita Mangsatabam of Women Action for Development, Secretary of Social Awareness Service Organisation Shachi, Bobo of All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA) and others who spoke in the function, held under the aegis of MNP+, drew the attention of the public in solving the HIV/AIDS issues in Manipur.

A PLHA needs a minimum of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for their medicine expenditure every month, said Deepak while SASO�s Shachi called upon the authority and the public to focus and address the issues of 3,000 children living with HIV before it went beyond control.

According to MACS reports, 7,743 PLHAs are taking ART regularly against 21,253 registered at the eight ART centres and nine link ART centres in Manipur. There are about 40,820 PLHAs including 2,718 children and 10,986 women in Manipur as on March 2012.

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