Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 16 2010:
Maintaining that HIV/AIDS is an important health issue that could have serious implication in the society, Health Minister Ph Parijat has called for collective responsibility to fight against spread of HIV/AIDS in the State.
Speaking as chief guest of the Mega State Music Event of the ongoing Red-Ribbon Superstars (Manipur Idol, 2009-10) at BOAT here today, Parijat pointed out that Manipur has the highest prevalance rate of HIV/AIDS in India today.
So it would not be right just to entrust the task of fighting against spread of HIV/AIDS to the Government and the NGOs working in the field alone.
It should be the collective responsibility of all the people to prevent spread of HIV/AIDS in Manipur.
The Minister further that HIV/AIDS patients should not be stimatised and discriminated in the society.
In connection with the music event being organised jointly by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) as part of the campaign to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS among the people covering all the districts of the State, the Minister said such programmes should be encouraged and public should extend their co-operation.
In his presidential address, pYouth Affairs and Sports Minister N Biren lauded the efforts being taken up by the NGOs and other related authorities of the State Government in fighting against HIV/AIDS in Manipur.
Of all the activities, today's musical programme is unique and significant, the Minister noted, while observing that such programmes reach out to all the parts of the State and should be organised more often.
In competition section of the Mega musical event, in all 11singers, both male and female, participated.
The chief guest and the fucntional president also distributed prizes to the winners of the competition..