State joins Candlelight memorial Day observance
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 15 2011: Joining rest of the world, the State today remembered hundred of lives lost to HIV/AIDS with the observance of International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day.

Deliberation on issues related to the dreaded disease, lighting of candles in memory of the people who died of HIV/AIDS, organising blood donation camps and involvement in philantropic activities etc marked the observance held across the State on the theme, 'Touching Lives' .

Manipur is one of the highest HIV prevalence States in India with Manipur State AIDS Control (MACS) shouldering the primary responsibility of curbing the epidemic under the supervision of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) .

At a function organised by MNP+, MACS (Targetted Intervention and Blood Safety) Deputy Director Dr Tomcha Khuman, Lifeline Foundation Chief Functionary Bikram Nepram, MNP+ Treasurer L Deven were the chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.

Family members taking part in the Candlelight observance

In his keynote address, MNP+ vice president, Ajitshwor said only six million people are getting treatment out of a total of 33 million HIV infected people in the world.

Mentioning about Manipur, he said that 38,016 people have been recorded as HIV-infected till January this year by MACS.

Saying that the day is the most emotional day for all the PLHIVs, the VP asserted that PLHIVs do not want more deaths due to improper and untimely treatment.

Ajitshwor also conveyed strong desire to take up necessary serious measures by the Government and NGOs to save the lives of the PLHIVs.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Tomcha informed the gathering that special programmes for women IDUs and adolescent children are not included in the NACP-III.

efforts would be made to add these categories in the NACP-IV to be started from April 2012, he added.

Tributes were paid to former president of MNP+ L Lilakanta, former treasurers RK Dhanakumar and Kh Gyaneshwar and former vice president O Munindro in today's function.

Simple but solemn gifts were also presented to their families as token of love.

Intergrated Women and Children Development Centre (IWCDC) RIAC Project also observed the day at Shine DDRC, Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai.

Surviving PLHIV spouses shared their experiences in the programme attended by 57 participants.

Kripa Society also observed the day.