Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Inclusion of co-infection issues in policy mooted: Imphal, Dec 23: The attention of the Manipur State AIDS Control Society has been drawn to the urgent need for inclusion of issues related to treatment of HIV-Hepatitis C co-infection among HIV positive patients in the state AIDS policy. Participating in the programme on “Indian People’s Tribunal on Stigma and Discrimination towards People living with HIV/AIDS”, which is underway since Saturday at the conference hall of Institute of Co-operative Management at Lamphelpat here, programme co-ordinator of Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) Ng Ratan pointed out that the issue related to HIV-Hepatitis C co-infection is the biggest problem being faced by people living with HIV/AIDS. However, there has been no facilities for treatment of such patients in the state AIDS policy till today, he said while contending that just as provisions for treatment of HIV-TB co-infection has been included in the State AIDS Policy, similar provisions sho...

AIDS Tribunal begins on Saturday: Imphal, Dec 21: An Indian People’s Tribunal on Stigma and Discrimination towards People Living with HIV/AIDS starts in Imphal on Saturday. The two-day tribunal session, to be held at the conference hall of the institute of Cooperative Management, Lamphelpat, is being organised jointly by the Human Rights Law Network, with the Manipur Network of Positive People and the Social Awareness Service Organisation, SASO. The stated objective is to find an answer to the question of how progress can be made in overcoming the stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV and AIDS, and to change people’s attitude towards AIDS. The people`s tribunal aims to conduct an indepent inquiry by recording testimonies of various PLHAs who have been facing stigma and discrimination before an expert panel. This is to be followed by a workshop on the issue in question. A detailed report comprising the findings and recommendations of the tribunal would also be submitte...