Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 30:
The implementation of Global Fund on AIDS/ TB and Malaria (GFATM) project being taken up by Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) for providing care and support to the People Living With HIV/AIDS has been caught in rough weather following undue pressures from within and outside, disclosed a reliable source.
The project funded by World Health Organisation (WHO) through National AIDS Control Society (NACO) is being taken up in Manipur since December last year.
According to information received by The Sangai Express, although the first instalment of the fund for implementing the GFATM project was released during 2004-05, the project has been stalled midway following detection of two applicants from among the NGO representatives in the Screening Committee.
Though the names of the two NGOs have been deleted, the officials of the Health Department are apprehensive of other loopholes and accordingly seized all the documents related to the project, the source said.
Over and above this, there has been undue pressures on MACS from various quarters including Ministers, MLAs and higher up officials for giving top priority to certain NGOs of their choice, the source informed.
The inspection committee set up with representatives from NGOs have also assessed the activities of the NGOs in different districts and the report of the same has been submitted to the Screening Committee, the source added.
In all 18 NGOs, two each from every district have been selected on merit basis as sub-ordinate agencies for implementation of the project and each the NGO would be provided Rs 2 lakhs each.
Along with taking up care and support measures for the People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs), the project would also encompass programmes and activities related to RNTCP and DOTs, the source disclosed.
On condition of anonymity, a head of an NGO informed that loopholes that have been detection in execution of the project have been known to all the NGOs.
In view of the fact that are many NGOs which exist only in name sake not to speak of their office and activities, proper screening should be made for proper implementation of the project.