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Title: Requests to look into the increasing number of AIDs cases and need to set up training centres for the youth and the women.
KUMARI KIM GANGTE : Mr. Chairman, Sir, I wish to raise a subject of urgent public importance, but I am sorry that we have too many speakers. A lot of time has been wasted. I am sure all the Members are aware of the epidemic that is believed to be sweeping across the country in the next five years. According to experts and doctors, it has been estimated that 2.5 million people in India are infected with HIV virus. Among all the States in our country, Manipur’s case is the worst. A number of youths have committed suicide when they realised that they have been found HIV positive, they have committed suicide without reporting of their condition to the Medical Board. According to 1991 census, there were 183 million HIV infected people in the age group of 10-19 years. According to NACO, that is, the National AIDS Control Organisation, HIV infection in India is about 77 per cent in the age group of 14-45 years. This indicates that the country is on the verge of an explosion in AIDS case. It endangers the society, the economy and the nation as a whole. It is found that Rs.174 lakh was kept aside in 1997 for control and prevention. This amount remained unspent. I would like to know the reason for this.The Government should look into this immediately.
MR. CHAIRMAN: What do you want the Government to do?
KUMARI KIM GANGTE : Sir, the areas which need to be looked into are, that there should be proper research support and properly managed counselling and training centres for the youth and the women.