‘Holistic approach for HIV/AIDS infected’

SHILLONG, SEPT 28: Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel on Wednesday underscored the need to have a holistic approach towards people affected by HIV/AIDS saying that social stigma still exists in the country.

Attending d the felicitation programme organized by the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) at Directorate of Health Services, (Research) on Wednesday Patel congratulated the PLHIVs for their courage to come out and fight against such social stigma.

The programme was also attended by Y Tsering, Additional Chief Secretary and President of MACS, Dr. R Wankhar, DHS (MI), Dr D Lyngdoh, DHS (R), Dr (Mrs) B. Mawthoh, Project Director of MACS among others.

Patel also urged organisations and line departments to disseminate the idea of creating an enabling environment and a sensitive community which understands the need for providing moral support to those affected by this deadly disease.

During the programme, Patel felicitated Dr VF Bareh, Senior Skin Specialist and i/c of ICTC and STI, Civil Hospital Shillong; the ART Plus Centre, Shillong  for ensuring free medical treatment to all the registered PLHIVs with proper nutritional guidance, psychological and emotional support to those affected and infected families and also linking them to various services and support centres in the state; Civil Hospital Shillong for being the first district hospital to start a voluntary counseling and testing centre under NACP; Vijay Kumar, lab technician, Integrated Counseling and testing centre of NEIGRIHMS; Marbood Neighbours’ Welfare Organisation for their contribution towards the out of school programme, targeting school dropouts, daily labourers, teenage mothers and educating and sensitizing them about HIV/AIDS and also to MG Swer, senior most staff of Meghalaya State Aids Control Society.

Later Patel also interacted with PLHIVs and Meghalaya Icon V winner- ‘Dymbur’. She also released NACO newsletter and power point presentation on Initiatives by North East Technical Support Unit (NETSU).-By Our Reporter