Neglect the MSM issues in Manipur.

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Wish you all the happy holi and prosperious. As all of us know that MSM

community are high vulnerable to HIV and STI. Few of the foreign agency

including SACS funded fund to prevent further transmission amongst the MSM

community, The state like mumbai, delhi, Andra pradesh, kolkata and orissa

working very well for the MSM community but in Manipur all the leading NGO and

even Manipur AIDS control society do not take serious attention toward MSM

community.

They don’t have appropriate programs for MSM.They think that MSM issues is not a

big issue.

For this reason the infection rate is increasing day by day in Manipur. I know

there are 2 or 3 NGO that are implementing the MSM program but the NGO do not

take seriousness to tackle the problem instead of implementing the programs they

mis-use the fund of MSM.

I have got the chances to visit 2 DIC of MSM in Imphal and interact to 4 MSM

outreach worker. They do not have much knowledge about the HIV and STI.They need

training to gain more knowledge on HIV and STI and about the risk behavior of

MSM.

With best regard

Romesh sing

Imphal

e-mail: <romesh_singh007@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Re: /message/8605

I guess Mr. Romesh Singh must have met the wrong person at the wrong time!

In regards to the MSM issues in Manipur, as far as my knowledge is concern SASO

has been working among this community beside their own priority work (IDUs &

PLWHAs) since 1998.

Ten years back people deny their existence and vulnerability in our society.

Although the risk are alarming in regards to blood borne virus (BBVs) during

that time (need assessment finding SASO, 1997-98) in Imphal).

Through this assessment finding SASO approach to MACS in order to

initiate the first ever MSM intervention prevention program in the state has

been implemented. Till then in the years 2004 external funding came by Project

ORCHID through Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and it’s continuing till

date.

For your kind information there are more than 22 staff in the project and they

have received and capacitate in various capacity training program including

financial management from the internal and external resources.

So, if you want to know more on MSM issues in Manipur please do contact MSM

Project Manager and Project Co-ordinator Premjit Lal Salam & RK. Sharat Singh

SASO MSM project, (office) and I hope you’ll able to know more in-depth

information on MSM issues in the state of Manipur.

Regards,

Mr. Ch. Bangkim

SASO-Social Awareness Service Organisation

Uripok Sinam Leikai Opp. Common School

Imphal - 795001 Manipur (INDIA)

Phone:91-385-2411408, Fax:91-385-2411409

Mobile:91-0 9436036213

bankimimph@...

cbangkim@...