ART Centre inaugurated at Shija Hospitals
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 15 2025: Haobam Rosita, Project Director, Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) on Wednesday inaugurated an Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre at Shija Hospitals & Research Institute, Langol.

The ART Centre is a joint initiative of Shija Hospitals & Research Institute Private Limited (SHRI) and MSACS.

With the opening of this centre, there are 13 ART Centres in the State (including one run by MSF) .

Speaking on the occasion as the chie'f guest, Haobam Rosita said that India has the third highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the world, after South Africa and Nigeria.

"As per a report released by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in 2023, there are about 24,472 PLHIV in Manipur.

Out of which, 14,554 are registered at ARTCentres, she added.

Highlighting that HIV stigma and discrimination are a major challenge facing PLHIV, Rosita asserted that PLHIV have the same rights as everyone else, and they should be treated with dignity and respect.

Dr Palin Khundongbam, Chairman cum Managing Director of SHRI, expressed joy over the opening of the ART Centre at Shija Hospitals and added that the centre will be able to reduce the volume treatment carried out at the ART Centres in JNIMS and RIMS.

Dr M Kulachandra, Senior Consultant, Shija Hospitals was also present at the inaugural function.

During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between Shija Academy of Health Sciences and MACS, further strengthening the partnership to combat HIV/AIDS in the region.

The event marks an important milestone in improving HIV/AIDS care in Manipur, with the newly inaugurated ART Center set to provide essential support and treatment to PLHIV .

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