AIDS prevention: Centre launches 'Project Sunrise' in Imphal.

 Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  J.P. Nadda had launched Project Sunrise for prevention of AIDS in the eight North-Eastern states. The Project will be implemented in the North East, in addition to the existing projects of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO). The project aims at bringing the people living with HIV/AIDS into the national mainstream and creating awareness about the disease in these N-E states.

Project Sunrise sponsored by US based Centre for Disease Control will be implemented in 20 districts of the eight states including four districts of Manipur- Imphal East, Bishnupur, Ukhrul and Churachandpur.  It will cover one lakh people living with HIV/AIDS by giving them treatment and care facilities free of cost. 

The project has been sponsored by US based Centre for Disease Control and would be implemented by Family Health International 360. It will cover one lakh people living withHIV/AIDS by giving them treatment and care facilities free of cost. The project will include enhancing capacity of state-level institutions, community mobilization, and making people aware about the disease.

HIV/AIDS Situation in North-East India:

In India the highest HIV prevalence rates are found in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in the south; and Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland in the north-east.North Eastern States like Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram account for highest adult (15-49 years) HIV prevalence in the country. 

In comparison to other Indian states, the North East is less populated, but still there are some 100,000 people, who live with HIV and AIDS in the eight north eastern states.National average for prevalence of HIV/AIDS among drug addicts is 7.14%, whereas in Manipur it is 12.9% and in Mizoram it is 12%.