Imphal, Aug 16: Rapid Intervention and Care Project (RIAC) of Integrated Women and Children Development (IWCDC), Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai organised an advocacy meeting on HIV/AIDS Intervention and Prevention Programme at Majorkhul Community Hall today.

The programme was organised under the sponsorship of Manipur State AIDS Control Society.

District AIDS Officer Dr H Nimaichand, MACS NGOs Advisor M Premjit, Head of department of Psychiatry Dr RK Lenin, Deputy Director of MACS Dr S Manikanta and secretary IWCDC Annie Mangsatabam delivered talks on various talks as resource persons during the programme attended by many social workers, Meira Paibj leaders, representatives of civil organisations.

Speaking on the topic of 'Present scenario of HIV/AIDS/STD', Dr Nimaicha: nd observed that India is becoming a country leading country in the world where HIV is spreading fast.

In view of this, the issue of HIV/AIDS should be included in the education syllabus of the schools and colleges, he pointed out.

He also resented non co-operation from some of the countries which are manufacturing drugs in the efforts being made by the UNO to control the problem of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Taking up the topic of 'Impact of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse on family (spouses and children), Dr Lenin gave a detailed account on the problems being faced by the infected/affected families.Premjit, who spoke on the topic of 'Networking and referral' mentioned the programmes/projects being taken up by MACS in the field of HIV/AIDS intervention and prevention.

Counselling facility through telephone to HIV/AIDS infected persons is also being extended, he informed.

Speaking on the topic of 'Stigma and discrimination', Annie Mapgsatabam said HIV infected persons should not be discriminated.

The problem of HIV/AIDS should be looked upon as a social problem/disease which need to be cured by the collective effort of the people living in the society, she maintained.

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