IMPHAL, May 20 : The International AIDS
Candlelight Memorial Day was observed today at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace
Compound and Manipur Dramatic union hall, Yaiskul Police Lane under the aegis
of different organisations.
As chief guest of the Lamyanba Shanglen
observance, Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Lokeshwar Singh assured
that ‘Manipur Legislative Assembly Forum on AIDS will do whatever it can to
fulfil the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.’
Pledging support of the Forum in fighting
stigma and discrimination, he also commended the leading role by the people
affected with HIV and drug users in ensuring the rights of the affected people
as well as reduce the spread of HIV in the State.
Former Deputy Director of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) and
MLA Dr I Ibohalbi, who also addressed the gathering at the observance function
drew the attention of the MACS Project Director to ensure expeditious revision
of the State AIDS Policy asserting that policies are a must for tackling issues
like HIV/AIDS
“The draft State AIDS policy needs to be
tabled at the earliest and discussed threadbare so that our response to the
epidemic is in tune with the needs of the community,” said the MLA who also
stressed on the need for bridging the gap between NGOs implementing HIV related
programmes and MACS.
Commenting on the observance, MACS Project
Director Dr Sailesh Kumar Chourasia expressed that such solemn event provides
all concerned an opportunity to reassess not only the achievement but also to
chart out a course to sustain the effort.
Different departments need to come together
for effective implementation of relevant programmes and to tackle the issue at
hand in a holistic manner, he added.
Functionaries of various NGOS also elaborated
on the significance of the observance with a fervent appeal to every section of
the society to combat HIV/AIDS in a more effective way.
Results of the competition held earlier on
May 18 were also declared and prizes distributed during the function held at
Lamyanba Shanglen today.
Towards promoting health and dignity,
particularly for people living with HIV and AIDS and other communities,
volunteers will campaign for improving service access, prevent rights violation
and reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS,
people who inject drugs, sex workers, nupi manbi and other vulnerable
communities.
The Yaiskul Police Lane observance organised
by Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) was held on the theme ‘Promoting
Health and Dignity together’ and was marked by the observation of two minutes
silence in memory of those who passed away due to HIV/AIDS infection and
release of fact-sheet on HIV and drug use developed under the CHPCSS and prison
projects.
Superintendent of Police, Manipur Central
Jail (Sajiwa) IK Muivah graced the event as the chief guest.While advocating healthy lifestyle for a
respectful living and longevity, Muivah also prevailed upon all concerned to
contribute their mite for the health and welfare of the HIV/AIDS infected
people.
With reference of MACS record of nearly
12,700 people undertaking ART treatment out of about 21,225 individuals living
with HIV/AIDS, he said the Central Jail Sajiwa has a total of 670 inmates with
HIV positive status.
Appreciating endeavours of MACS, MNP+ and
volunteers of various NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention for
regularly conducting awareness programmes and ways to live a healthy lifestyle
to the infected inmates, the SP asserted that he would intimate higher
authorities for enhancing assistance to these inmates.
It also informed that candles were lit at 16
market places in Imphal East and West districts, Bishnupur and Thoubal
districts. In coordination with the All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO)
candlelight prayers were also held in a number of churches.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial
2012 is being jointly organised by sixteen organisations namely All Manipur
Anti Drug Association (AMADA), Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), Centre
for Organisation Research and Education (CORE), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Human
Rights Law Network (HRLN), All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA), Kuki Women Union
(KWU), Kripa Society, Care Foundation, Lifeline Foundation, Dedicated People’s
Union (DPU), Manipur Cycle Club (MCC), Coalition Against Drug Abuse and
Alcoholism (CADA), Christian Network of Positive Women of Manipur (CNPWM), All
Manipur Nupi manbi Association (AMANA), Solidarity and Action Against the HIV
Infection in India (SAATHII).
Meanwhile, the International Candlelight
Memorial Day was observed today at Khurai Lamlong under the aegis of Universal
Caring Mission (UNICAM) on the theme “Promoting Health and Dignity Together”. Speaking on the occasion, MACS Joint Director
Abhiram Mongjam stated that the number of people killed by HIV/AIDS is greater
than the number of people during World Wars I and II.
Talking about the stigma and discrimination
being endured by HIV infected people, UNICAM vice-president Ksh Robindro
asserted that all kinds of social stigma or discrimination should be done away
with for better tackling of the HIV/AIDS issue.
Later nutritional support was distributed to
HIV infected people. The International Candlelight Memorial Day was also
observed by Maruploi Foundation at its Bishnupur office today.
CARE Foundation observed the 29th
International AIDS Candlelight memorial Day at its head office and branch
office Nambol today.
200 people including members, staff, PLHIVs,
IDUs FSWs and invitees attended the observation, said a press release.
The day was also observed by MNP+ Thoubal at
its hall. The observation was held under the sponsorship of MACS.
21-May-2012 / 02:27 AM // Our Staff Reporter / 0 Comments
Imphal, May 18: The yearlong International AIDS
Candlelight Memorial observation 2012 kicked off with a painting competition
today at Keishampat Keisham Leikai community hall. 36 children studying in
class one to nine took part in the competition organised for children infected
and affected by HIV and AIDS.
Miranda (name changed) whose two children took part
in the competition is hopeful her daughter studying in sixth standard will bag
a prize. “She bagged the first prize in a
similar competition held last year”, said the proud mother of four. Miranda
her husband and her two kids who took part in the competition are on ART at
RIMS. While she expects her daughter will bag a prize she is encouraging her
son to take part in such competitions to help him make friends and forget his
illness. The 14 year old boy is underweight and shy away from class mates and
friends.
The competition saw 14 children, deprived of their
parents, from Carmel Jyoti Care Centre in Imphal East wielding the brush. The
centre is presently looking after 48 children most of them living with HIV and
AIDS. Of the 14 children who took part in the competition 11 are on ART.
Speaking at the occasion Shyamacharan, General
Secretary, All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) and a member of the organising
committee, said that such joint efforts will ensure people realise the need to
come together in the fight against HIV and AIDS. “Each one of us in our own way can contribute in the fight against HIV
and AIDS”.
For the first time civil societies organisations,
human rights groups, lawyers, drug user and positive networks and NGOs in the
state are coming together to observe the International AIDS Candlelight
Memorial 2012 which falls on May 20 and continue it as a year-long state-level
campaign for solidarity in fighting the
epidemic.
“This
competition is different; we want them (the participants) to feel important and
cared for. Through this campaign we want to convey that each one of us has a
responsibility towards people who are in need and help them live with dignity”,
said Phoni, Secretary General, AMADA.
One of the organising committee members of the
campaign, AMADA had in the past organised blood donation camps to meet the
growing demand of blood for people living with
HIV and AIDS. In 2006 and 2007 AMADA collected a
record 600 unit of blood meant for PLHIVs undergoing treatment in RIMS and JN
hospital. Starting 2006 October AMADA has so far organised 70 awareness
programmes for school students all over the state.
Spearheading the campaign the Community Network for
Empowerment (CoNE), a state-level network of community-based organisations of
drug users, is planning a series of activities in keeping with the theme of the
International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 - ‘Promoting health and dignity
together’.
The competition will be followed by observation of
the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 on May 20 at Lamyanba
Shanglen, Imphal. On the same day a candlelight rally is being organised
involving political leaders and representatives of various civil society
organisations. Candles will also be lit at 14 market places in Imphal,
Bishnupur and Thoubal districts. In coordination with the All Manipur Christian
Organisation (AMCO) candlelight prayers will be held in a number of churches. Results
of the competition will be declared and prizes distributed on the same day.
Towards promoting health and dignity, particularly
for people living with HIV and AIDS and other communities, volunteers will
campaign for improving service access, prevent rights violation and reducing
stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS, people who
inject drugs, sex workers, nupi manbi and other vulnerable communities.
The painting competition is a part of the yearlong
observation of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 jointly
organised by sixteen organisations- All Manipur Anti Drug Association (AMADA),
Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), Centre for Organisation Research and
Education (CORE), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Human Rights Law Network (HRLN),
All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA), Kuki Women Union (KWU), Kripa Society, Care
Foundation, Lifeline Foundation, Dedicated People’s Union (DPU), Manipur Cycle
Club (MCC), Coalition Against Drug Abuse and Alcoholism (CADA), Christian
Network of Positive Women of Manipur (CNPWM), All Manipur Nupi manbi
Association (AMNA), Solidarity and Action Against the HIV Infection in India
(SAATHII).
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is one
of the world’s oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV
awareness in the world. Started in 1983, The International AIDS Candlelight
memorial takes place every third Sunday in May. The observation serves as a
community mobilization campaign to raise social consciousness about HIV and
AIDS.
With more than two decades old the HIV epidemic in
Manipur has shown little signs of relenting. While a number of government and
non-government agencies are implementing various programmes a number of health
services are beyond the reach of thousands of people who need it. Rights of
many belonging to various vulnerable communities continue to be violated thus
denying people to live with dignity.
38,573 people are living with HIV and AIDS and 698
have died of it in Manipur till March 2011. 19,455 people were registered for
ART till May 2011. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 is an
opportunity to join hands and walk towards ensuring health care to those who
need it and people are not discriminated owing to an illness or other factors
which are beyond one’s control.
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