Itanagar: Parliamentary secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Thangwang Wangham on Saturday called upon the media to play a positive role in containing and controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS in Arunachal Pradesh.
Addressing as the chief guest at the one-day state level advocacy for media of Arunachal Pradesh, Wangham said the media has an important role to play in disseminating information about HIV/AIDS among the masses.
He called the media to use such a powerful medium to mould public opinion and educate the masses about the threat posed by AIDS, especially in the far-flung border areas which are prone to migration of people from outside.
He informed that the Speaker of State Legislative Assembly has convened a meeting of the Legislators Forum on HIV/AIDS on August 25 to discuss the issue.
He also called for extending such forum at the zilla parishad and Anchal level to create awareness among the villagers.
Donating Rs 1 lakh to the Arunachal Pradesh Positive Peoples’ Forum (APPPF) comprising of HIV+ persons, Wangham said the Legislators Forum will also be requested to donate some lump sum amount from MLALADF towards the welfare of HIV+ people.
He further said some fund also have to be kept aside for zilla parishad to carry out campaign against AIDS in the villages.
Director, Health & FW, Dr K Nishing, called for removing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and hoped that once the discrimination shown towards AIDS patient stops, the number of AIDS cases would automatically reduce in the country.
Earlier, project director, Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society(APSACS), Dr E. Rumi, briefing about the preventive measures taken in the state to control AIDS, informed that there were 178 HIV+ cases in Arunachal Pradesh out of 1,60,000 blood samples tested so far.
Papum Pare district recorded the highest number of cases while three districts viz Kurung Kumey, Upper Subansiri and Anjaw, bordering China, has nil. Most of the HIV+ cases fell in the age group of 20-44 years. (UNI)
