Ampareen calls for not being judgemental in dealing with the problem
Shillong, June 17: Meghalaya has recorded over 200 per cent increase in HIV/AIDS cases even as health minister Ampareen Lyngdoh while terming the situation “very alarming”, emphasised the community’s role in dealing with the problem.
In the past 19 years, there has been 221 per cent increase in HIV/AIDS cases in the state while the rate of increase in Tripura is 330 per cent plus, she told reporters on Tuesday.
However, urging the media not to depict a negative picture from the fact, she said, “We must make sure that this is not a headline that will be used to shame a state.”
“Very alarming indicators and this is something only a community can get together to deal with it,” Lyngdoh said.
She also urged all stakeholders, including MLAs and MDCs, to contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS by whatever means in their capacity.
However, she cautioned against being judgemental during any such initiative.
“Come forward, join hands, and do what you can, walk that extra mile and discuss this problem without being judgmental,” she said.
Informing about the Integrated Health Campaign, she said it needs to be developed to tackle the menace of HIV/AIDS in the state.
“Certain localities, communities are more vulnerable. Without isolating victims of HIV/AIDS and without intruding into the privacy of their disclosure, government of Meghalaya has to take some actions that will contain the spread of HIV/AIDS,” she said.
After chairing a meeting on intra-departmental discussion on the issue, Lyngdoh said the departments such as Social Welfare, Education, and Health take separate initiatives on the issue, and “at the end of the day, everybody would miss the target.”
“We would like to see that we reduce these numbers, contain these numbers, provide necessary medical facilities for such victims,” she said.
Lamenting lack of awareness about the disease, she said, “We know injecting drug users and sharing of needles is one of the causes but the point here is the community willing to discuss this?”
We are aware our community is an advanced community. The minister emphasized the importance of discussing and addressing the problem without being judgmental.
She called for caution in dealing with drug users while not being judgemental.
“How do we popularise use of safe needles without sending the wrong message that okay we know you are a drug addict but we will still give you the needles,” she said.
Pointing out the trend of being judgemental in case of commercial sex workers, she wondered if the community is willing to discuss as to why is the need for a profession called “commercial sex working”.
“If our communities are not willing to let go and shed this judgemental approach, I think this problem will continue to envelope us,” she said.
Meanwhile, all departments have been asked to prepare their programmes to deal with the issue ahead of the celebration of International Day Against Drugs, which will be held on June 26.
