The number of children living with HIV/AIDS (CLHA) in Manipur has reached 2,578 as of January this year. Among these, 1378 are male while 1200 are females, according to the State epidemiological analysis report of the Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS).
According to Dr Ng Hemanta, joint director (CST), MACS, among these , 743 children have started ART medications. He was speaking on the sidelines of an ongoing three-day long training programme for medical officers and counsellors on HIV exposed infant care here .
The training which began here on Friday has been organised by MACS in collaboration with Regional Pediatriac Centre, JNIMS and supported by UNICEF, Assam with the objective of providing the latest care and support treatment to HIV exposed mothers and children.
Altogether 98 counsellors and 69 medical officers of the State will be trained during the three-day programme .
Pointing out the present trend of the HIV/AIDS epidemic which is shifting from high risk groups such as IDUs to the general populace especially women and children, Dr Hemanta stressed the need for more proactive intervention programmes such as Prevention of Parent To Child Transmission (PPTCT) of HIV/AIDS.
He further said that the need of the hour is not just to register positive cases but to also detect those mothers and infants exposed to HIV/AIDS.
Stating that it is a myth that nevirapine can save all children, he said that rather it lessens the risk. Therefore, what is crucial is close monitoring and care of both mother and children, he added.
Abhiram Mongjam, Joint Director of MACS (TI) pointed out that the rights of children exposed to HIV/AIDS still remains an unheard voice globally as well as in Manipur. Stating that there is still high risk of exposure of infants to HIV/AIDS from pregnant mothers in the State, he further stressed on the need for close monitoring and follow-up by counsellors as well as medical officers.
Consultant of the Infrastructure, Liason And Financial Services (IFSL) Manipur and Mizoram, Maibam Premjit said that the PPTCT of HIV/AIDS which started in 2002 in Manipur has been rapidly expanding to cover all corners of the State.
While nevirapine coverage in Manipur is good, high rate of home delivery of children, despite all efforts towards institutional deliveries, is posing a major obstacle in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, he said.
The training programme is being facilitated by Dr Hemanta, Dr Hijam Apabi, In-Charge of Regional Paediatric Centre (RPC), Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Prof Dr L Ranbir, Head of Department of Paediatric Department, RIMS, Radharani, Senior Nurse of Regional Paediatric ART Centre, JNIMS, Dr N Kameshore, Assistant Professor of Paediatric Department, JNIMS and Dr Ng Bembem, Nutritionist at Regional Paediatric ART Centre, JNIMS.
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