HIV/AIDS a development issue too

IMPHAL, Feb 18 : HIV/AIDS is not merely a health issue but a developmental issue says Dr. Kh. Pramodkumar Singh, Project Director (MACS) on the first day of the two days sensitization workshop for co-operative leaders on mainstreaming of HIV in the education and training system of cooperative organised by the International cooperation Alliance and National Council for cooperative Training, New Delhi in collaboration with Institute of Cooperative Management, Imphal under the sponsorship of ICA-AP and NACO.

Dr. Pramodkumar Singh as distinguish guest said that Manipur being a highly prevalent state, and HIV epidemic came into our state since 1990 and it keeps on increasing day by day. for every 200 people, 3 are infected by HIV/AIDS.

He further added that in our state younger age groups are mostly infected by HIV/AIDS.

The younger generations particularly school going children, adolescent and youths should be given general awareness on HIV/AIDS. This can be done by introducing in school, curriculum issues related with HIV/AIDS like sex and sexuality and so on.

Y. Erabot Singh, Minister of Cooperation, FCS, Com & Industries Manipur as a chief guest said that we need to study in depth about the preventive measures of HIV/AIDS. He also said that HIV is more severe than cancer as there is no treatment of HIV/AIDS till now. so awareness and prevention is the best measure.

He further said that India stood second position in relation to HIV/AIDS in the world and in our state Imphal stood first followed by the Thoubal District.

Speaking to IFP exclusively Y. Irabot Singh said that he opened a scheme for the widows and destitute women who were infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Through his hard work and effort he gain the confidence of 132 widow out of which 37 are found to be HIV infected and from the month of February he started giving Rs. 500 to each of the them plus 100-200 litre of SK Oil and will continue.

Besides the above mentioned dignitaries P.Vaiphei, IAS Secretary Cooperation Govt of Manipur, Kh. Borkeshor Singh Chairman, ICM, Imphal, Savitri, Advisor Gender Programme ICA Asia Pacific, New Delhi and Dr. N. Ranjana Devi Joint Director (P&A), National Council for Coop. Training, New Delhi also attended the workshop.

The programme is being organised with an aim to sensitized the cooperative members on the issues of HIV/AIDS so that they can reach out and create awareness to the masses particularly to the rural areas.