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Manipur Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla giveing away the prizes to the students on the World AIDS Day in Imphal on Saturday. (EM Images)[/caption]
Imphal, Dec. 1 (EMN): With the theme ‘Know your HIV status,’ the World AIDS Day was observed on Saturday in Imphal under the aegis of Manipur State AIDS Control Society at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles ground.
The state Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla, Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar Singh attended the programme as the chief guest, functional president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, the governor said that it is imperative to make modifications and improvements in the state AIDS Policy statement so as to suit the changing circumstances and trend. Observing that the HIV/AIDS issue is no longer a mere health issue, she said that it has covered all aspects of life — social, economic, legal, human rights and political.
The chief minister said though the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is declining in the state, there is still need for a collective effort of public, NGOs and the government to achieve the target of having no new HIV infection in Manipur by 2024.
As per the records provided by the State Health Department, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the state is 1.43 % against the all-India rate of .022%, he said.
“It is a matter of concern that 36% of the population of the State is still under Below Poverty Line (BPL) though the per-head fund provided by the Centre to the State is three times higher as compared with the bigger states,” said the chief minister.
Best performing NGOs and District Aids Control officers were felicitated. Prizes for written quiz and on-the-spot painting competitions were also distributed.
