How much do you know the society of Manipur? It is located amid the north-east of India (known for its sublime splendor) but at the same time a great section of the society has become vulnerable to the onslaught of HIV/AIDS. Truly speaking, the dreaded HIV virus has crept into the social fabric of Manipur and already threatened to wipe out the entire population of two million populations.

What is the present status therefore? As per reports published in the beginning of 2009, the state government’s ineffective policies and programmes to combat the disease by raising awareness level among the risk groups were responsible for its spate. But now the threat has reduced, if we confer a trust upon government reports. According to the Minister of Health Ph. Parijat Singh, infection rate of HIV/Aids among the high risk groups in Manipur is decreasing except amongst female sex worker. He stated this while replying to a question in the State Assembly.

On the word of the Minister, the infection rate of HIV among the general population in Manipur has not seen any alarming rise, and the estimated adult HIV infection rate (prevalence) was 1.67 percent in 2006 and this figure reduced to 1.57 percent in 2007 and the tally for the 2008 is awaited. What has led to this success? Though there are several factors, as indicated by the Minister, specific intervention programme, Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT), taken up by 18 NGOs (two NGOs for each district) reigns.

It has also been learnt, that NGOs are working in other programmes of MACS. These include Targeted Intervention, TI, (57 NGOs); Drop-in-centre for people living in HIV/Aids (4 NGOs); Telephone Counseling (4 NGOs) and Community Care Centre (6 NGOs). There are, in fact, 36 persons on 2nd Line ART and seven are awaiting laboratory report (resistant report).

The development is good, without a shred of doubt. But it has to be maintained and taken to the next stage. It’s the real challenge.