Manipur: Testimonials give meaning to Candlelight memorial day

[Guest guest]

Testimonials give meaning to Candlelight memorial day

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 16: Call for spreading awareness to remove social stigma

and discrimination against HIV/AIDS infected persons, mobilising

community involvement in fighting the dreaded disease and heart-

rending personal accounts and ordeal faced by the affected persons

marked the 22nd International AIDS Candlelight Memorial observance

across the State today.

The main function was held at the conference hall of Manipur Network

of Positive People (MNP+), Yaiskul Police Lane under the sponsorship

of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS).

The function was jointly organised by MNP+, Social Care Foundation

and North East India Harm Reduction Network (NEIHRN).

Speaking as chief guest at the function, MACS project director Dr S

Sukumar informed that there are around 17,900 HIV positive persons.

Out of these at least 4000 to 5000 of them are believed to be AIDS

infected.

Expressing concern over the spread of HIV/AIDS in Manipur, Sukumar

noted that Manipur has become one of the six States in India which

have the highest prevalence rate of the dreadful disease mainly out

of ignorance and lack of adequate knowledge about precautionary

measures.

To put a curb on further spread of the disease, a concerted effort is

urgently required, even though prevalence of social stigma and

discrimination against the affected people has come down over the

past few years, he pointed out.

Referring to the heart touching testimonial given by three HIV/AIDS

patients including a young boy on their personal ordeal, during the

function, the MACS Director said their accounts were not stories from

films and dramas, but harsh realities of life everyone should be

aware of.

In his presidential address, president of Rural Service Agency (RUSA)

H Sharat, while evoking the theme of the observance, which

is `Turning remembrance into action', the observance would be more

meaningful to make efforts for getting the required fund for

combating the disease more and above organising memorial services and

lighting candles in honour of those who have lost their lives.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial was also observed by

Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO) at its FHI project

office at New Lambulane, Integrated Women and Children Development

Centre (IWCDC) at Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai, Rural and Slum

Development Association at Langmeidong and Resource Centre for Social

Welfare and Community Development at Chandel.

It may be noted here that the first International AIDS Candle

Memorial was observed in 1983 when the cause of AIDS was unknown and

death had not been recorded.

It is said that since 1983, the pandemic has claimed more than 25

million lives, with over 40 million now living with HIV/AIDS and

continues to ravages communities around the world.

According to an official report of MACS, in Manipur alone 114 persons

have lost their lives because of HIV/AIDS till January, 2004.

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