SHILLONG, NOV 24: Members of the Meghalaya Drug Users Network (MeDUNet) today staged a protest against the recent decision of the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) to terminate the contract with the Voluntary Health Association of Meghalaya (VHAM).
Demonstrating outside the office of MACS in the city here, drug users especially those coming from Jowai in West Jaintia Hills and Ladrymbai in East Jaintia Hills has demanded reinstatement of VHAM as partners for their treatment.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the officials of the society, MeDUNet general secretary Arborlang Thangkhiew said, “We want our treatment and other services to be continued in the VHAM centres and not anywhere else.”
It may be mentioned that the MACS has decided to terminate the contract with VHAM centres in Jowai and Ladrymbai with effect from December 1, after alleged misappropriation of funds by VHAM in these two centres.
The VHAM IDU Targeted Intervention (TI) cum Oral Substitution Therapy in Jowai and VHAM CC TI in Ladrymbai were alleged of funds embezzlement amounting to the tune of Rs 15 lakh from 2015 till mid 2017 while distributing expired syringes to Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) thereby putting at risk the lives of its clients.
However, MACS authorities informed that there will be tie up with a new organisation – Mihmyntdu Community Social Service Association.
“The services will be the same…it will not affect the community. We appeal to the MeDUNet to cooperate with us,” MACS Project Director, Dr (Mrs) L Lyngdoh Mawnai told reporters.
On the demand of the MeDUNet to reinstate VHAM, Dr Mawnai said that the issue will have to be decided by the governing body of VHAM.
By Our Reporter
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