Election of Barack Hussein Obama, an African-American, as the head of United States, the richest nation in the universe, will find an effective global leadership for fighting HIV/AIDS. It symbolises the final leg in the march towards the end of racism.
After Aparthied, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is another alert in African and American nations. AIDS epidemic was born in America two and a half decades ago. Many believe in the African origin theory of HIV/AIDS. So, African-American tie-up in the history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS) in the world cannot be ruled out. Out of 40 million people on the planet presently living with HIV, 1.2 are Americans. There are around 12 million AIDS infected orphans in Africa. Globally, eight thousand deaths and six thousand new infections occur every single day. No doubt AIDS is set to become the third leading cause of death worldwide in the coming years.
Landmark election of an African American as the head of the richest country in the world marks the total end of racism in the world. Barack Hussein Obama will be sworn in as President of the United States on January 20 next year. It is indeed legendary that a coloured man born to a Kenyan father will lead America.
After profound success in the war against racism, now comes the turn of AIDS that remains a big global challenge for President Obama. Not only America, Obama’s headache will be the burden of AIDS in African nations in particular and the world in general.
In his address on World AIDS Day two years ago, the former Senator said “We are all sick because of AIDS. And we are all tested by this crisis. When you go to Africa, you will see this problem up close, you realise that its not a question of either treatment or prevention – or even what kind of prevention – it is all of the above. It is not an issue of either science or values – it is both. Yes, there must be more money spent on this disease. But there must also be a change in hearts and minds, in cultures and attitudes. Neither philanthropist nor scientist, neither government nor church can solve this problem on their own - AIDS must be an all-hands-on-deck effort.”
The illinois Senator once said “If condoms and potentially things like microbicides can prevent millions of deaths, then they should be made more widely available. That’s my belief.”
Obama will continue to be a global leader in the fight against AIDS. He has pledged to develop a national HIV/AIDS strategy to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care, reduce health disparities improving quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. To him, microbicides is a tool to women empowerment in the battle against AIDS and the dispute over condoms is a “false argument.”
Vision for an AIDS free Manipur
Manipur, a small state with a population of 25 lakh people in Northeast India is well known as the hotbed of HIV/AIDS. Its world-famed fauna and flora – “Siroy Lily”, the brow antlered deer “Sangai”, the infamous Loktak lake and “Keibul Lamjao” the only floating park in the world have introduced this jewel of India to the whole world. Its excellence in sports and art also speak volumes in the international arena. India’s sports achievements have been made more glorious with native sportspersons of the state Manipur. Sports achievers - Thoiba, Nilkamal, Kunjarani, Basanti, Mary Kom, Dinku, Anita and so many others have made a glorious place for India. In art and culture and literature too, the world knows Ratan Thiyam, Kanhailal, Shyam Sharma, Pahari and so on.
But today, tearful and heartrending stories of HIV/AIDS victims have filled the scenario in Manipur. 30,000 HIV positives, one-third women, more than 5,000 on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) drugs, 200 lining up for second line ART drugs, 1.3 per cent of general population estimated infections. Four per cent of pregnant women in one of its districts Ukhrul are HIV infected. Many stories of young widows and orphans are still hidden.
Manipur shares 357 kilometer border with Myanmar and also with other states of India. At least 30 different communities following varied cultures, traditions and dialects reside in Manipur thereby, hampering smooth HIV control programmes.
Second-line ART drugs will be available in Manipur by December 1 this year. It is a good gesture for the people living with HIV, fighting for their lives. With the opening of first ART centre in Manipur in 2004, there are at present six ART centres.
The story of HIV in Manipur dates back to 1990, when the first report of infection came from among the drug users using injections. Now, the epidemic has turned 20 years in the state.
Sentinel surveillance reports for the year 2007 need to be analysed to trace the trend of the epidemic in the state. Out of every 1000 pregnant women, 13 are HIV positive. It means that for every 50,000 pregnancies in the state in a year, 650 are HIV infected mothers. Manipur will have around 200 HIV infected newborns every year. If the trend continues, let us visualise how much of our young population will survive after 50 years from now. In the course of the next 50 years, there will be only elder persons and small babies in most households in Manipur.
Challenges Ahead
Ignorance is the thing of the past with no lack of information and no dearth of services anywhere today. The only thing lacking is our commitment, our responsibility and our love for the mankind. There are challenges ahead of us. There should be cross border HIV intervention in remote villages, economic empowerment of young widows, orphans rehabilitation, academic researches and studies on media and cultural invasions and their impact on youth.
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