MACS gives a miss to AIDS Orphans on their day
MNP+ denounces sponsoring pattern, MACS official clarifies
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 07 2012:
Although Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) has not come up with anything specific for children living with HIV&AIDS (CLHIVs) in the state even to the extent of forgetting to observe the commemorative day, the World AIDS Orphans Day was under the aegis of Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) here today.
Denouncing the attitude of MACS in dealing with CLHIVs of the state, MNP+ has also raised questions on the motive of MACS in funding state level football tournaments, musical concerts and the like while forgetting to observe an International event like World AIDS Orphans Day which falls on May 7 every year.
However, clarifying over the matter, a top official of MACS has explained that there is no provision for organizing World AIDS Orphans Day by MACS.
On the other hand, decrying the conduct of MACS, Devan of MNP+ observed that there is no harm in funding for various state level football tournament or musical extravaganza as a means to increase the awareness level of HIV and AIDS among people by MACS.
"But what is really shocking and unfortunate is that the percentage of funds sanctioned for such events is much higher than the funds provided for the welfare of CLHIVs", Devan added.
Devan was speaking on the occasion of World AIDS Orphan Day observance organised by MNP+ at its conference hall at Yaiskul Heruhanba Leikai here today.
He pointed out that as the state government's nodal agency on HIV and AIDS, MACS should be more concerned about the welfare of CLHIVs in the state, whose number has crossed the 2500 mark in 2011 (MACS report), rather than spending lakhs of rupees in sponsoring football tournaments and musical concerts.
Meanwhile, a top official of MACS, on condition of anonymity informed Hueiyen Lanpao that there is no provision for organizing World AIDS Orphans Day by MACS.
The official explained that NACO has not provided any funds for this.
However, considering the increase in number of CLHIVs in the state and their conditions, MACS under the leadership of its Project Director distributed sports items, books and other items to children of Carmel Jyoti, an orphanage at Koirengei, late this evening.
The Project Director also promised the authority of the Home that MACS would provide financial assistance as well.
During the World AIDS Orphan Day observance function held at the office of MNP+, General Secretary of MNP+, Udita said that there is no government policy and programme for CLHIVs in the state.
"Even though we have been shouting for the need of child counseling for quite a long time, nothing has been brought into reality", she said, and added that though there are provisions of policies and programmes for AIDS orphans, the problem lies in the failure of the state government to implement these programmes and policies.
Even the existing schemes and programmes of the government for children seldom reach the actual beneficiaries.
Remershi, Project Manager, DIC, Imphal East, who was also present on the occasion, said that the theme of this year's World AIDS Orphans Day is 'To demand 50% AIDS funding for children' .
She observed that children are the future pillars of the society and they take equal part in bringing about a welfare and developed society and so it is high time for the government to take up specific programmes meant for children.
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