HIV in Manipur: Need to create an enabling envrironment

[Guest guest]

Dear Geoff,

Thanks for your interest in Manipur. The problem as far as I

understand is not so much the lack of or absence of safe syringes or

needles but lack of an enabling environment for users (inspite of the

fact the government of India agreeing to programmes on needle syringe

exchange on a pilot basis) at least in the Imphal valley (the

capital). That had a large number of NGOs working on HIV/AIDS. It

was not safe for users to carry needles and syringes even though NGOs

were carrrying out needle syringe exchange programmes.

This is based on a rapid assessment carried out in 98 I do not know

wheather the situation has changed now. It will be intresting to know

activists and NGOs working there have to say.

A number of the interventions use peer groups for outreach.

I would say one of the areas of focus should be should be creation of

an enabling envrironment for users to practice safer behaviours. This

means more work with the police, the insurgent groups and the

community leaders. By this I dont not mean enactment of new

legislation but trying to change the reality in the ground.

The other area where not much work with done was the sexual

behaviours of the IDUs, a large proportion of who were sexually

active, a significant proportion of them are married and a small

segment of them were women (who often take up selling sex).

If the information I have is correct the infection has already

reached the general population and the infection rates has crossed 5%

among ante natal clinic attendees.

Vijay

Email: vjscuk@...