Manipur manifesto:HIV/AIDS has become an election issue

February 4, 2002

Manipur manifestos with a difference

The Statesman 4th Feb, 2002-New Delhi

Feb. 3. -- Manifestos of various state parties for the forthcoming Assembly

elections have laid considerable stress on dealing with AIDS.

For the first time in the country, perhaps, HIV/AIDS has become an election

issue. With the number of HIV positive cases in the state being 12,817, parties

can no longer neglect the problem. Never in the past 20 years had any political

party taken up such issues as drug addiction and AIDS for elections in the

state.

Former minister and president of Manipur People's Party Mr. O Joy Singh feels

the issue should be above party politics. Mr. Chandramani, president of Federal

Party of Manipur, feels the same. Mr. Singh has mooted an idea of forming cells

within the party structure to spread awareness of the disease among people. He

said other parties should also open such cells.

Former chief minister Mr. RB Koijam of Samata Party said his party is concerned

about the growing number of HIV positive cases and has included the issue in

their election manifesto.

" We would take up whatever strong measures required to tackle the scourge. " He

said tactical understanding with Myanmar at the national level should be made to

stop drug trafficking.

Congress (I) has put AIDS on its top priority list and so has Democratic

People's party. The BJP in its manifesto has called for restructuring of the

state AIDS and drug programmes to make them more effective.

This kind of initiative to combat the disease on political level could have come

sooner, said the Manipur State AIDS Control Society Project director, Dr.

Khomdon.

" The bad news is today HIV has moved to general population and the rate of

infection among children and women is at 2 pre cent. In Africa, AIDS infection

among children and women grew form 2 per cent to nearly 80 per cent in a span of

5 years. If we don't take proactive action now, in 5 years we will be no better.

We must learn from the African experience. "

***********************************************

Dr.Jagdish Harsh ( jharsh@... )

Director of Administration and Operations

François-Xavier Bagnoud (INDIA) ( www.fxb.org )

161,Satya Niketan Moti Bagh-II

New Delhi-110021

Phone: +91-11-6111793-94

Fax: +91-11-4107381

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