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Manipur
Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS By
Namaram Kishalaya The
Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) was formed on September 7, 1997, by
five ex-IUD’s who were living with HIV. It is a self-support group, which
intends to overcome the constraints and limitations faced by the people living
with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) for overall improvement in their lives in particular and
society in general. MNP+
was registered under the Societies Registration Act 1989 on December 14,1998
and became an autonomous body. Its registered office is located at Yaiskul
Police lane, Imphal. It has an Executive Committee to look after the functioning
of the organization and its services volunteered and assisted by more than 100
members. MNP+
is an affiliated State Network of the Indian Network of Positive People (INP+)
Chennai, and networks with other state level networks of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra,
Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, Delhi, and Andhra Pradesh as well as with
the Positive Women’s Network run entirely by women in Tamil Nadu. It also
networks with Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS based in Mumbai & New Delhi. At
present, MNP+ has Four District Level networks locally, viz. Imphal East, Imphal
West, Thoubal and Bishnupur District. We also network with Manipur AIDS Control
Society, COCP, Lifeline Foundation, Kripa Society and other NGO’s and CBO’s
working in the field of HIV/AIDS. At present, the secretary of MNP+ is also a
board member of the Indian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+) The
aims of MNP+ include *Promote
a positive image and give visibility to the issues of PLWHA by dissemination of
accurate and up-to-date information on HIV/AIDS there by countering fear and
ignorance. *Share
personal experiences, information, skill and resources essential to achieve the
goal of the organization. *Contribute
to the efforts in prevention and control of the pandemic. *Advocate
strong legislative measures to protect the individual’s right to remain
confidential. *Lobby
the Govt., legislation and commitment to protect the basic human rights and
needs of all people living with HIV/AIDS including the right to employment,
education, medical care, insurance and traveling. *To
sensitize the community in particular, the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and other
Co-Infections like TB, HBV, HCV, STD’s etc. for a more effective intervention
and preventive measure. The
activities of MNP+ include *Creating
more self-help groups at a localized level and providing members with the skills
necessary to do so. *Conducting
meeting, workshops and conferences across the state. *Counseling,
providing home based care and referral services to hospitals. *Liasoning
with mass media. *Facilitating
dialogue and action between PLWHA’s, Govt., NGO’s, CBO’s and other
agencies etc. etc. Human
resources required: ·Resource
persons viz. Doctors, lawyers etc. ·PLWHA’S
having adequate skills/knowledge as resource and facilitators. ·Board
members, Network members and Volunteers. Sustainability Since
MNP+ is, a self-support group formed in Sept. 1997 and had sustained for the
last three and half (31/2) years,
without any project funding, it has gained a lot of support from other NGO’s
working in the field of HIV/AIDS and the community. Linkages with the
heath care
system and providers are an important element of its
sustainability. The commitment, dynamism and spirit of its members as volunteers
remains as the main source of continued effectiveness Office Address: Manipur
Network of people living with HIV/AIDS (MNP+) L.
Lilabanta Singh, President, (MNP+) (ManipurOnline Media Services) Back to Top FrontPage Manipur Profiles Features Potpourri Opinions Editorials Books Photos Links Archives Contact Policy/Disclaimer |
