Collective efforts stressed to tackle HIV/AIDS

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 1 : As commemorated across the globe, the Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) organised the State level observance of World AIDS Day 2025 at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society, Palace Compound under the theme "Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response".
Notable dignitaries present at the ceremony include Sumant Singh, Commissioner, Health & Family Welfare (H&FW), Government of Manipur and president, MACS; Kengoo Zuringla, Special Secretary, H&FW and Secretary, Science and Technology; Somorjit Salam, Special Secretary, H&FW; Dr N Hemanta Kumar Singh, Director, Health Services and Shamim Ahmad Shah, MCS, Project Director, MACS.  
Speaking as the chief guest, Sumant Singh called for collective effort to achieve the goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) should not be stigmatised, instead they should be offered support and encouragement.
Under the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, the authorities concerned have consistently taken significant steps to promote the prevention and control of the virus.
Highlighting the decline in prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Manipur, he emphasized the important role of CSOs and the public in tackling this epidemic.
On another note, Shamim Ahmad Shah shared that the World Health Organization first marked the global observation of World AIDS Day in 1988.
The ceremony was organised to offer support to PLHIV and mourn the lives lost to the disease as well as raise awareness to reduce stigma and discrimination against PLHIV.
Another important message of World AIDS Day is encouraging people to get tested and find out their HIV status, added the Project Director of MACS.
Though HIV prevalence in Manipur has decreased from its peak in the past, it is still one of the States with the highest HIV prevalence rates in the country.
This necessitates timely tests to know one's HIV status and getting started with the treatment regiment from ART (Anti-Retroviral Therapy) Centres if the test is positive to suppress the viral load.
The more the viral load is suppressed, the lesser are the chances of transmission, added Shamim Ahmad.
Once the HIV status is known, PLHIV can live long lives through proper exercise and regular treatment/medication, said Shamim Ahmad.
At the event, mementos were handed over to ART Centre, Bishnupur District Hospital, ART Centre Chandel District Hospital, ART Centre JNIMS & Paediatric Centre of Excellence.
Additionally, mementos were also presented to two students of Mother's Pride Academy, Bishnupur who bagged the 1st runner-up position at the National Red Ribbon Quiz Competition 2025.
Separately, The Overcomers observed World AIDS Day with the support of MACS at Kangla Western Gate, Imphal today.
The observance was attended by Shamim Ahmad, Project Director, MACS and Anna Arambam, IAS, Director, Social Welfare Department.
The highlight of the observance was the candlelight vigil where the dignitaries and attendees lit candles as a mark of solidarity to the families of those lost to the epidemic all over the world.
At the event, Anna Arambam highlighted the gravity of drug addiction as a social issue prevalent in the State.
Saying that Government departments alone cannot combat this scourge, she urged NGOs to come forward and join the fight against drug abuse.  
The ceremony was also attended by chief functionaries and staff of NGOs and CBOs working in the field of drug use and HIV and AIDS, civil societies, police personnel and meira paibis.