SHILLONG: There was a renewed call for the need to remove the stigma attached to HIV from the minds of the people on the occasion of observation of World AIDS day on Friday at a time when the state is also grappling with rising number cases of HIV infection.
Addressing the occasion at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture, the chairperson of Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Meena Kharkongor, maintained that awareness and support must be strengthened in every department and society at large not to stigmatize and discriminate such people.
“There must be a concerted effort to look after HIV positive people with love, support and quality treatment,” she said.
Kharkongor stressed on the need to ensure that people who start treatment can stay on effective treatment so as to prevent becoming HIV drug resistant.
“HIV drug resistant state develops when people do not adhere to prescribed treatment plan, often because they do not have consistent access to quality HIV treatment and care,” she said.
Referring to figures in which she found that even children are also affected with the virus, Kharkongor said that the Commission welcomes any coordination for this cause from Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS).
She stated that World AIDS Day highlighted the success of worldwide efforts to combat HIV/AIDS as well as the importance of continued support for these efforts because it continued to be a significant global health issue.
Kharkongor ended with lines spoken by late Princess Diana, “HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so that you can shake hands and give them a hug; Heaven knows they need it.”