Imphal, October 01: "I was shocked and could not even believe the doctor who told me about my HIV status as I have done nothing through which I could have come in contact with the virus", said Pamther Tuithang, a HIV positive woman.

Giving her testimonial at the training programme on HIV/AIDS and drug abuse held for youth and community leaders of Ukhrul district at Lanthungching Baptist Church at Lamphelpat yesterday, Pamther recounted that when the doctors told her about her HIV status, she insisted the doctors to conduct the test on her blood once again as she thought that there was no possible way of getting infected with the virus.

Speaking in her native Tangkhul dialect, Pamther told the congregation of youth and community leaders who came from different parts of Ukhrul district that on learning about HIV/ AIDS and some close friends having died from it she always kept herself pure and never indulged in any activities through she might be exposed to the killer virus.

However, fate had something else ordained for her.

Hailing originally from Khamasom village of Ukhrul district, Pamther took the marital vow with a man from Kashung village without knowing about his past life.

Other members of her in-laws family also kept her in the dark about her husband's drug habit, lest Pamther might not agree to the marriage proposal.

As her health deteriorated with frequent bouts of sickness after the marriage, she was admitted to a private clinic at Imphal for treatment, and it was here that her worst fear came to haunt her.

Though her husband put the blame on her at first, Pamther is now convinced that she got infected with HIV from her husband, whose HIV status has also been confirmed only after relentless efforts made by Pamther to undergo the blood test.

Recounting the mental trauma she had gone through initially, Pamther said she had even cursed God for her predicament.

Luckily, all her three children have also not been affected.

But with the support of her family members and in-laws, she has regained confidence in herself and is now on a mission to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS among the innocent people of Kashung village.

She has been encouraging people to undergo blood test and at her own initiatives at least 4 villagers from Kashung have detected to be living with HIV.

The day-long programme organised jointly by North East Border Area Development Organisation (NEBADO), Manipur and AIDS Consortium, New Delhi under the sponsorship of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) gains significant in the highlight of the fact that Ukhrul district has recorded the highest HIV prevalence among pregnant women in India in 2004 and HIV/AIDS and drug abuse are the twin most serious problems the district is facing today.

Headman of Kashung village T Joseph, Project Director of MACS Dr Pramod and Ng Jonason were respectively chief guest, president and guest of honour of the inaugural function of the training programme conducted by ex-consultant (IDUs and Training) of NACO Dr Khomdon Lisam, Dr Pramod, secretary of AIDS Consortium Kh Raghumani and secretary of NEBADO K Achan Kathing as resource persons.

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