Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 03:
Ukhrul district has long been identified as the HIV capital of Manipur, but if recent findings are any indication this distinction may soon go to Chandel district, if preventive measures, especially steps to implement the Prevention of Parents to Child (HIV) Transmission (PPT-CT) are not intensified in this district.
Moreh lies in Chandel.
According to the PPTCT programme taken up in Manipur from January to September this year, a total number of 2450 pregnant women were registered in Chandel
district.
Out of this, 222 women were counselled and 213 women agreed to undergo the HIV test.
Out the 213 pregnant women tested, 10 were found HIV positive which is 4.6 pc of the women tested.
This is the highest record for all the districts in Manipur during the said period.
Ukhrul district occupied the second position.
Out of the 2821 women pregnant women registered, 344 were counselled and 330 took the HIV test.
Out of this 13 were found positive which means that 3.8 pc were found positive.
The figure for Chandel is the ground reality for HIV in this district and more may need to be done, said members of the Resource Centre for Social Welfare and Community Development (RC-SWACD), who works in this district and whose Hqs is located at Japhou bazar, Chandel.
Meanwhile as part of the World AIDS Day, RC-SWACD organised an Urban Night (Open Air Musical Disc Jockey) along with the Civic Minded Youths at Chandel district headquarters on December 1.The Urban Nigh programme covered promising youths, young officers and young couples, including hidden target population who are hardly covered by general awareness/advocacy programme.
As part of the function, RC-SWACD organised quiz competition related to HIV/AIDS to minimise stigma and discrimination against IDUs, PLWHAs, spouses and SWs, said a statement issued by RC-SWACD.