Reality Check

He is not the only one. In the last four years, as many as 37 AIDS deaths were reported from his small neighbourhood alone. Not to mention the others who have been reported to be infected by the virus. The gravity of the situation is highlighted by the following figures.

According to the 2002-2003 Status Report of the National AIDS Control Programme, Manipur, which constitutes just 0.2 per cent of the country8217;s population, accounts for nearly eight per cent of India8217;s total HIV positive cases. As per the epidemiological report, Manipur is the third highest 8212; after Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu 8212; infected State in the country.

This is not all. The sero-prevalence rate of infections per million population in Manipur is six times higher than in Maharashtra and 20 times higher than in Tamil Nadu. And of these, 60.85 per cent of the HIV infections have been transmitted through sharing of needles and syringes among drug users. In contrast, 80 per cent of the infection in other States is through sexual transmission. The sero-prevalence among Manipur8217;s drug users is the highest not only in the country, but in the world.

Accordingly, the State8217;s Aids Control policy centres around what is called 8216;8216;harm reduction measures8217;8217; 8212; Drug Maintenance Therapy, Needle Syringe Exchange Programme, Bleach and Teach Programme, Drug Substitution Programme and distribution of injecting kits 8212; to reduce further cases of infection among the Intravenous Drug Users IDUs.

While there are claims that the sero-prevalence rate among IDUs has been stabilised at 43 per cent, the situation is far from under control. There has been a surge in infection among women and children. And over 90 per cent of the infected women have acquired the virus from their husbands. The sero-prevalence rate among pregnant women has increased from 0.8 per cent in 1994 to 2.04 per cent in 2001, with the corresponding figures for Moreh district registering a record 8 per cent.

Statistics suggest that Manipur is losing its future too 8212; an increasing number of Manipur8217;s youth are falling prey to AIDS. It is estimated that at least 10,000 young adults and 1500 children have been struck by the infection so far. What8217;s more, the number of cases seem to be increasing every month, as is the number of people requiring healthcare.

As a fast-track measure, the State AIDS control programme is conducting many Rapid Intervention and Care Projects RIAC among drug users and truck-drivers. But for the programme to be really effective, the State needs to change focus and develop intervention strategies to prevent further infections among women and children. 8216;8216;Women controlled8217;8217; HIV prevention methods like female condoms are just one option.

There is also an urgent need to improve Manipur8217;s healthcare infrastructure. According to the status report, none of the hospitals in the State are equipped with the basic laboratory facilities to diagnose and monitor the progress of the disease among HIV-infected people. Neither are there any research facilities to support the programme. Even the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR in Imphal has seemingly failed to provide any 8216;8216;meaningful8217;8217; research support.