Public Hearing Evident of govt’s neglect in Manipur State

[Guest guest]

Public Hearing Evident of govt's neglect.

By Staff reporter Imphal Free Press.

Imphal, Jan 29: he social welfare department considered to be an

important stakeholder in meeting the challenges of HIV/ AIDS – as

well as the health minister, L.Nandakumar, were conspicuous by their

absence in a public hearing highlighting the cases of HIV/ AIDS

related stigma, discrimination and human right violations in Manipur.

Expected to play an important role as respondent in the panel

discussion, the social welfare department failed to send any

representative to the public hearing, Addressing Concerns of People

Living with HIV / AIDS, held at the conference room of Manipur State

AIDS Control Society, Lamphel.

Expressing disappointment at the absence of health minister in

the inaugural function, the chief guest of the function Justice

(retd) W A Shishak, chairman MHRC, said, " The state must be prime

mover in this kind of project and it is unfortunate that the health

minister is not present to discuss an issue where the state have a

crucial role to play in alleviating the problems " .

Stressing on the need for compassion and concern to lessen the

difficulties of HIV/AIDS, the chairperson said that " in our state

those who are concern have no power and those who have power have no

concern " . He observed that since there is no medical remedy for

HIV/AIDS at present " the only ready remedy is in the form of

relations we share with an infected person " .

He appealed those working for the issue to be more aggressive and

offensive in their approach. Y.Joykumar, managing director Police

Housing Corporation and G Binodkumar Sharma, project director MSACS

were the guest of honour and president respectively at the inaugural

function.

In the public hearing that followed, C Upendra, retired session

judge chaired the jury. Pradip Phanjoubam, editor Imphal Free Press

and Dr Dhanabir Laishram, guest lecturer MU were the panel members.

There was a panel of respondents consisting of officials of

health department, law enforcement, human rights activists and

social organizations. The people living with and affected by

HIV/AIDS along with those working on HIV/AIDS made a panel of

petitioners.

After hearing the cases of HIV/AIDS related stigma,

discrimination and human right violations in the state from

petitioners, Pradip Phanjoabam observed that besides considering the

issue of HIV/AIDS as a social and medical issue, it should be seen

from the legal angle so that the existing legal loopholes can be

sealed foremost.

Dr Laishram called it social issue with political implication.

He said that over and above the general awareness campaigns, the

markets should be sensitized since meira paibi socialize and

interact with one another at the markets.

The deliberations of the public hearing were read out by C

Upendra. It was recommended to appeal the government to initiate a

bill against stigma and discrimination: to appeal the social welfare

department to introduce welfare schemes for the PLWHA.

It was also recommended to urge the nationalized banks to

provide loans to PLWHA with minimum interest and to facilitate

medical reimbursement for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Today's public hearing was organized by North East India Harm

Reduction Network in partnership with Manipur Network for Positive

People, Social Awareness Service Organization and Kripa Society with

technical support from Centre for Advocacy and Research.

Courtesy Imphal Free Press.

" North East India Harm Reduction Network "

E-mail: <neihrnimph@...>