Shillong, September 28: Smti Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare today attended the felicitation programme organized by the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) at Directorate of Health Services, (Research), Shillong. The programme was also attended by Shri Y. Tsering, Additional Chief Secretary and President, MACS, Dr. R.Wankhar, DHS (MI), Dr. D. Lyngdoh, DHS (R), Dr. (Mrs) B. Mawthoh, Project Director, MACS among others.
Addressing the gathering, Smti Patel dwelt at length on the need to have a holistic approach towards the people affected by HIV/AIDS. Stating that a social stigma still exists in the country, she congratulated the PLHIVs for their courage to come out and fight against the social stigma.
The minister urged the organisations and the line departments to disseminate the idea of creating an enabling environment and a sensitive community which understands the need for providing moral support to those affected by this deadly disease.
During the programme, Smti Patel felicitated Dr. V. F. Bareh, Senior Skin Specialist and incharge of ICTC and STI, Civil Hospital Shillong; the ART Plus Centre, Shillong for ensuring free medical treatment to all the registered PLHIVs with proper nutritional guidance, psychological and emotional support to those affected and infected families and also linking them to various services and support centres in the State; Civil Hospital Shillong for being the first District Hospital to start a voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre under NACP.
Mr Vijay Kumar, Lab Technician, Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre, NEIGRIHMS; Marbood Neighbours’ Welfare Organisation for their contribution towards the out of school programme, targeting school dropouts, daily labourers, teenage mothers and educating and sensitizing them about HIV/AIDS and also to Smti M. G. Swer, seniormost staff of Meghalaya State Aids Control Society.
The minister also interacted with PLHIVs and Meghalaya Icon V winner- ‘Dymbur’. Other highlights of the programme include release of NACO Newsletter and power point presentation on Initiatives by North East Technical Support Unit (NETSU).
Earlier, the minister visited ICTC, ART, CST and Suraksha Clinic at Civil Hospital, Shillong and Regional Blood Bank at Pasteur Institute, Shillong and also interacted with the medical staff.
