Imphal: TV Game show on HIV starts

September 1, 2008

Imphal, August 31: ISTV Network today kicked off the World Bank - ISTV Game Show

in a function held at Kangla Hall.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Ph Parijat and Youth Affairs and Sports

Minister N Biren graced the function as chief guest and guest of honour

respectively.

ISTV Network president Kh Kuleswar presided over the function.

Speaking at the function, N Biren said that the State Government would discuss

at the Cabinet level about the ways and means to provide free second line ART to

the persons living with HIV/AIDS in the State.

Maintaining that the crucial time for fighting HIV/AIDS has already come, he

also appealed to the NGOs, Government agencies, HIV/AIDS infected people and

general public to fight the virus collectively instead of playing the blame

game.

Saying that having large number of HIV infected persons is not a matter of

pride, the Minister also exhorted the NGOs not to exaggerate in providing datas

with the intention of getting more fund from the Central Government and funding

agencies.

He also said that the Centre has once asked the State Government whether the

situation in the State has surpassed that of Bangkok because of such

exaggerations.

Recalling that he had suggested of having Red Light area in the State through

his weekly, Thoudang way back in 1994, N Biren also emphasised on the need to

discuss the matter openly.

Ph Parijat said that the problem of HIV/AIDS is so alarming in the State that

1.2 percent of our population is infected by the virus.

Stressing on the need to work honestly by the NGOs, the Minister informed that

Manipur AIDS Control Society is facing hiccups in getting fund from NACO due to

past irregularities.

Giving his keynote address, co-convenor of the game show, Rupachandra Yumnam

said that the game show is all about how to end the social stigma and

discrimination being slapped to the persons living with the HIV/AIDS.

The recording of the World Bank, Norway, Swedish International Development Co-op

Agency, UNAIDS, UNICEF and IFC sponsored game show would commence from September

7.

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