Mail News Service
Imphal, Dec 1 : World Aids Day was observed here today on the theme, “Getting to Zero”,at Manipur Film Development Corporation,MFDC, .
The observation organized by Manipur State AIDS Control Society was graced by Gurbachan Jagat ,Governor , O. Ibobi, Chief Minister Manipur,Th. Lokeshwar Singh, Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly and Phungzathang Tonsing, Minister Health & Family Welfare, Manipur as Chief Guest, President and Guests of Honour of the function respectively.
A public rally was taken out which commenced from Wangkhei Meihoubam Lampak, Imphal East and proceeded upto the MFDC complex.
The Governor speaking on the occasion said , “Last year also the theme was similar and till 2015 the observation will be with the same theme as decided by World AIDS Campaign’s Global Steering Committee. This shows the need and importance to achieve zero infection rate of HIV. Even though the absolute number of HIV positive cases in Manipur is increasing, prevalence rate reportedly shows a slight declining trend every year. However, as per the Sentinel Survey the High Risk Groups is still the most vulnerable despite various intervention programmes.
The comparison of the route of transmission during 2004-2008 and 2008-2012 show that the percentage of parent to child transmission and blood and blood products declined from 12.2 to 6.8 and from 1.6 to 1 respectively. This indicates that the awareness and other measures in these areas have started yielding results. However, the_ percentage through heterosexual route and infection through syringe sharing not only form the major percentage, it also shows an increase in the percentage.
Another disturbing finding is that maximum distribution of HIV positive is among the age group 25-49 years, the most productive period of human beings. About 82 percent of all cases are within this age group. This further indicates that without intervention as this group is sexually active, they may and can increase the HIV infection through sexual mode of transmission. The reduction of infection in the age group of below 24 years shows that the intervention in this age group is yielding results. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen those targeted interventions which are yielding results and revisit those which are not producing the desired result and revamp such targeted interventions to produce the desired result. The objective is to ensure zero new infection rates as the mortality and morbidity, besides the financial and societal cost of management of this syndrome is enormous. It can really debilitate a nation or a society as many in the most productive age group cannot contribute to their full potential.
It is alarming to learn that substance abuse is high among teenagers in Manipur. It is not only in Manipur but in other places as well. This is due to various reasons but the desire to experiment during the formative years is a driving psychological motive. The problem is that once they start with mild substances they will graduate to stronger substances to get the same “kick” , ultimately’resorting to mainlining or injecting the substances. There is an urgent need to wean away those who are using mild substances like sniffing of petrol, dendrite, etc. from graduating to stronger substances. Here, the State Government alone cannot do this and requires the help and support of the parents, teachers, community leaders, youth clubs, etc. in other word the society at large. Manipur, which has a strong traditional community bond should be able to provide this and need to act on this if we want a HIV free society.”
Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh said, “Everyone knows that the HIV and AIDS situation in Manipur is alarming. The whole development initiatives and progress of the state will be impaired unless we are able to protect our youths and children from HIV and AIDS in time. The first case of HIV infection in Manipur was detected in the year 1990 and till October 2012, a total of 42,116 HIV positive cases have been reported. I am informed that out of these 11,778 women and 2773 children have been both infected and affected by this disease.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/world-aids-day-observed/
