Imphal, January 15: Under the initiative of Integrated Women and Children Development Centre (IWCDC), Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai, a 15-day long free detoxification camp has begun from today at Tharon Khul, situated on the foothill of Cheiraoching, Imphal.

Pastor Rev Jonathan, Tharon Youth Club secretary M Rejoice, chairman of Tharon Village Authority Athon and MO (Medicine) of JN Hospital Porompat Dr Lokeshore graced the dais during the inaugural function.

The camp is being organised as part of the Project H 13 for Prevention of Transmission of transmission of HIV among injecting drug users (IDUs) in SAARC countries and is funded jointly by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

IWCDC is one of the four implementing NGO partners of the said project in Manipur, the other NGO partners being Kripa Foundation, SHALOM and Galaxy Club.

The project area of IWCDC covers ward nos.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and some parts of ward no 25 and 26 of Imphal West District.

The camp which began from today at Tharon Khul is first of its kind and it is being organised by IWCDC in association with other partner NGOs like SASO, Future Group for Drug Users, You and I, etc.

The decision to launch a series of awareness campaign along with organising such free detoxification camps in different parts of the project area was taken during a joint meeting of IWCDC , its partner NGOs and other local clubs/ bodies recently.

A core committee with six members had also been set up to ensure smooth conduct of the camps to be organised at different parts of the project area.

Apart from a host of doctors and nurses who would look after required the medical regimen, 50 local volunteers have also been engaged for the purpose of take care of clients.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Sandhya, one of the Core Committee member, informed that the main objective of organising su-ch free detoxification camp is to encourage community participation in prevention of spreading HIV from one person to another.

IDUs who mainly fall under the category of clients of short term treatment would be encouraged to participate in such camps, she said.

In all 15 IDUs who have been referred from various NGOs working in the field of HIV prevention are participating in ongoing camp which would continue till January 30.On the kind of treatment facilities to be provided to the clients during the camp, Sandhya explained that first six days of the camp would concentrate on medication and interaction with family members, and the remaining days on the treatment modules that have been chalked out which include counselling, group therapy, group session, role model play and other activities that aim at bringing about behavioural changes of the clients.

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