‘Survey says around 1300 PLHA in Senapati’

IMPHAL, June 7: There are 660 HIV positive persons in Senapati district of Manipur including 170 children and 63 persons have already lost their lives to the virus.

IFP was informed of the statistics by Network of Positive People, Senapati affiliated to Network for People living with HIV, Manipur/Indian Network for People living with HIV/AIDS.

A senior-staff of the network has informed that 660 people have registered with the network; however the actual number of people living with HIV/AIDS may be a lot higher as was found during a recent survey of the district conducted by the network.

During the recent survey it was found that there may be around 1300 persons living with HIV/AIDS, he informed IFP.

Senapati district has now the second highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS among the hill districts of the state, he said.

According to records available with the network, the virus has already claimed lives of 63 people.

The staff also said the main cause of the spreading of the virus in the district used to be syringe sharing among Injecting Drug Users, IDUs; however, the presence of commercial sex workers in the district has also become another main cause for its spread now.

He further informed that an Anti-Retroviral Therapy, ART centre is present at the district head-quarter and two linked centres are also established at Kangpokpi and Saikul providing ART treatment to 325 registered patients.

He further informed that there are other networks in the district including the Rural Development Association, Meitei Leimarol Sinnaisang and Community Care Centre working on the issue in the district.

The NPPS was established in the year 1999 and became a registered body in 2002 and started providing guidance to HIV/AIDS affected people of the district since then.

The network has been helping the HIV/AIDS affected individuals on how to receive treatment and on other issues.

The registered head office of the network is in Saikul Bazar, while its administrative office is at Ward No 4 of Kangpokpi

The network further informed that the number of people living with HIV has reached 660 including 280 male, 210 female and 170 children. The 170 positive children include 90 boys and 80 girls, the network said.

The age group of the children range from very small to 16 years old. The children were transmitted with the disease from the parents.

link: ‘Survey says around 1300 PLHA in Senapati’