Launching of PMTCT project in Manipur: One more stride towards AIDS prevention
By Seram Neken Singh
[(“Now, HIV positive pregnant mothers have nothing to worry. Just a drop of Nevirapine before childbirth and another drop for the baby after birth will save their newborns from HIV infection”)]
Besides being the State with the highest-HIV infection rate in India, Manipur is also ahead of the rest of the country regarding efforts for prevention and control of AIDS. The State AIDS Policy adopted in October 1996 was the first and only policy document in the whole of India. Such a policy at the national level was introduced only in April this year.
The Rapid Intervention and Care project meant for reducing spread of HIV among the drug Users is the pioneer and model project in South East Asia. The achievement of the so-called RIAC project has been tremendous. Now the rate of spread of HIV among the Injecting Drug Users has almost been stabilized. Now infections are decreasing. As far as the awareness level among the people is concerned, Manipur is the State with the highest level of AIDS, awareness. Hence the State is not lagging behind others in the efforts for fighting this deadly epidemic. Now the emphasis has shifted from merely spreading awareness or propagating safer sex and use of equipment to saving the newborn baby from HIV.
Newborn babies are the most unfortunate victims of AIDS. For no fault of theirs, they are HIV infected. They acquire the virus from their parents. AIDS is neither & sin nor a curse. It is caused by a virus. We can now protect children born to HIV infected mothers by administering just a drop of Navirapine during labor pain to the mother and another to the baby after birth. The facility for having this medicine will now be available in all districts of Manipur. O Ibobi Singh, the Chief Minister of Manipur launched the project on prevention of mother to child HIV transmission at a historic function held at the State guest house on 4th June 2002. The Deputy Commissioners of all districts also launched the project at their respective district hospitals on 5th June. The PMTCT project follows the two pilot projects undertaken at J.N. Hospital, Porompat Imphal during the last two years for administration of Zidovudine and Navirapine respectively to pregnant mothers.
Addressing the gathering during the launching ceremony, the chief guest said that prevention of a child from HIV is like saving the next generation. He also indicated that his Government is according top priority to the AIDS control programs. The President of the function Dr Chalton Lien Amo was hopeful that the PMTGT project will be helpful in averting the course of the HIV epidemic in Manipur. Dr Khomdon Singh Lisam, Project Director, Manipur State AIDS Control Society presented the deadly scenario of AIDS in the world, India and Manipur.
According to him, the AIDS epidemic is more severe than the World War- II in terms of the people it has so far killed and the potential it has in future. Dr Khomdon is the person whose ability, knowledge and tireless efforts in this field have made strides in controlling the epidemic in Manipur. Children are the pillars of the nation. They are tomorrow's adult. Unfortunately, the affected and infected figures in respect of children below 15 years globally are not encouraging. At the beginning of this year, 2.7 million children have HIV in their blood. 5, 80,000 children died of AIDS and 8, 00,000 were newly infected with HIV in the year 2001 alone. The rate of infection per day in 2001 is 14,000 of which 2000 are children below 15 years. The estimated population of AIDS orphan is 13.2 million.
In Manipur, 315 children below 10 years are HIV infected as per sero-surveillance reports upto April .2002. As per sentinel surveillance reports last year, the rate of HIV infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics is 2.04. It means that out of every 100 women attending antenatal clinics, two are HIV infected. The children born to them have the chance for infection. Therefore the introduction of PMTCT project in Manipur is timely and will prove fruitful in controlling the epidemic in Manipur at this juncture.
Now, HIV positive pregnant mothers have nothing to worry. Just, a drop of Nevirapine before childbirth and another drop for the baby after birth will save their newborns from HIV infection. Mothers should be aware and avail the facility from the respective district hospitals in order to prevent their wards. No side effects, strict confidentiality and free of cost. To be aware, free, frank and indulge in health seeking behavior will pay a lot from leading healthy lives to saving generations.
(The writer is the Assistant Director, Manipur State AIDS Control Society)
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)
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