Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 04:
A two-day seminar on sex education and HIV/AIDS has begun from today at the lecture hall of Department of History, Manipur University.
The seminar is being hosted by Manipur University Research Club (MURC), Chanchipur under the sponsorship of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS).
The seminar being attended by many resource persons and students was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor of Manipur University C Amuba Singh as chief guest, president of Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) Ch Rupachandra Singh as functional president and Project Director of MACS Dr Kh Pramodkumar as guest of honour.
In his address, Dr Pramodkumar observed that AIDS epidemic is the greatest threat posed to the existence of humankind today.
Despite the advancement of medical science, a cure for AIDS has not yet been able to produced.
So far 16 million children all over the world have been orphaned following the outbreak of the epidemic and over 40 million people have been affected by it, he said, quoting the report of the UNAIDS.
Dr Pramodkumar further said quoting the report prepared by researchers working in National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), India and Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal that over 11 million people would die from AIDS within the next 20 years.
Among this, Manipur would be affected the most, he said while stressing on the need for a concerted efforts to spread awareness among the people and fight against the epidemic while there is time.
In his address as chief guest of the inaugural function, Prof C Amuba pointed out that in view of the threat being posed by HIV/AIDS, more awareness programmes should be organised to facilitate discussion on the issue of HIV/AIDS among the people.
In the technical session of the seminar held in the afternoon, Assistant Professor of Anthropology Department, MU Dr MC Arun and Legal Advisor of MACS Sushil Huidrom spoke on the topics of HIV/AIDS and its related problem as resource persons.
Dean of Students' Welfare of MU Prof W Nabakumar Singh facilitated discussion on the observation made by the resource persons during the session as moderator.