Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 23 2010:
A Convocation programme of Children Living with HIV/AIDS was organised by Manipur NGOs Response on Child Rights at Imphal Hotel, North AOC on November 22 .
The Convocation was held with Chairman of Manipur Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS, Th Lokeshore, who is also the Speaker in-charge of Manipur Legislative Assembly, as the chief guest.
Forum secretary (MLA) Dr I Ibohalbi and MLA Dr Ng Bijoy also graced the occasion as the president and guest of honour respectively.
Addressing the gathering, which included HIV/AIDS affected children from various hill districts, Th Lokeshore said taking into account gravity of the HIV/AIDS scenario in the State, the legislators realised on the need to play pro-active role in checking the menace and thus formed the Legislature forum under a specific policy aimed at spreading awareness in the nooks and corner of the State.
Conveying that every effort is being made to ensure HIV/AIDS affected widows and children get due attention and have easy access to their basic rights, the Speaker in-charge asserted that any impediments posed to NGO volunteers working in the field will not be tolerated.
In his address, Dr I Ibohalbi noted that from the earlier trend of focusing only on awareness campaigns to control HIV/AIDS the emphasis at the current juncture is provision of financial and material assistance to widows and children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Expressing concern that prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Manipur is still very high compared to other North Eastern States, the Forum Secretary stressed on the need for participation of the general public in combating the disease rather than leaving the task to NGOs or Govt agencies.he also conceded that the govt needs to formulate and implement more welfare programmes.