The Manipur Users Collective (MUC) on Monday stressed the need to ensure that the HIV/AIDS policies and bills passed by the Central government are effectively implemented to safeguard the rights and well-being of the marginalised population.
MUC, in a release, lauded the state government’s ‘Cheingak Khonghou’ scheme, a one-time financial assistance programme for Higher Education Students Infected and Affected by HIV, HCV and HBV. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to supporting the education and empowerment of vulnerable communities, it stated.
It also praised the Higher Education Department (U) for implementing the scheme under the commendable leadership of director Rangitabali Waikhom. It mentioned that 112 deserving students were selected across districts under the scheme and ten of them were presented with a cheque of Rs 10,000 each along with smartphones.
It maintained that the financial assistance and the provision of smartphones are invaluable contributions that will significantly ease the educational journey for this section of students.
MUC believes that such initiatives not only address immediate financial needs amid the present crisis but also bestow a beacon of hope to these students in strengthening their higher educational dreams, the release said.
It further urged the related departments to continue their efforts in addressing the broader issues faced by PLHIV across all age groups and vulnerable communities in the state. It is high time for the relevant authorities to take up certain measures exclusively for PLHIV in pubescent age groups who are infected through vertical transmission as cases of discrimination, violations of rights by their partners, spouses, intended in-laws, relatives and in-laws are often reported, it asserted.
