American Center to fight AIDS in Manipur

Imphal, Aug 31: The number of people suffering from AIDS across the world will reach more than 45 million by 2010, Public Affairs Officer of the US Consulate General Douglas G Kelly said here.

A four-member team from the American Center at Kolkata, led by Mr Kelly, interacted yesterday with the people to educate them on AIDS and its prevention.

Mr Douglas said presently more than 38 million people around the world were suffering from HIV/AIDS.

''The US is concerned by the report that by 2010, about 25 million children could become orphans,'' Mr Douglas said.

He called upon the media fraternity to make people aware about the precautions to be taken in order to safeguard themselves against AIDS.

''Documentations, concerts, public service announcements, competitions, hotlines can be used to reinforce awareness about HIV-related diseases,'' he said.

Besides, Ms Devaki Nambiar, a Fulbright Scholar from the US, said, ''Now-a-days, we are witnessing a trend of celebrities participating in the campaigns against AIDS.'' Project Director of the Manipur AIDS Control Society, Dr Kom said, ''Manipur shares about 350 km international border with Myanmar and there were cases of the disease coming from the other side of the border. Hence, the two countries conducted a campaign in the border areas in 2005 and plans are afoot to conduct similar campaigns.'' Dr Kom revealed that recently about 40,189 samples were collected from Manipur, including 8,369 CRPF personnel, in which about 2,791 persons, including 50 CRPF personnel, were found to be HIV positive.

Earlier, AIDS was prevalent mainly among the drug users. However, now it had spread to the general masses, he added.

Besides, the means of disseminating AIDS-related issues among the people were also discussed in the press conference.

UNI