The latest report presented by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights exposes the grim picture that the children are not able to draw any benefits from the projects targeted for their development. The report maintains that the schemes and programmes designed for providing nutritional support and free education to the children in the state of Manipur, who are either HIV infected or affected, are not functioning.

In a public hearing, the challenges and the issues, faced by the children infected and affected by HIV AIDS in Manipur, were discussed at length. The parents and guardians of the HIV infected and affected children from the State informed the team that the schemes and the programmes are not benefitting their needy children.

On this occasion a 30 year old widow and mother of two, who herself is HIV positive said that they are facing the major problem of educating their HIV positive children. She also pleaded that it is very difficult for a poor family to provide nutritional support to its children. She disclosed that the facilities of SSA, ICDS, Mid day meal are missing from their villages.

The Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Santha Sinha was present at this public hearing meeting which was held jointly by NGO’s and Manipur Network of Positive People.

According to an estimate as of March this year the state has reported a total of 29,147 people of which 7,513 are women who have tested positive for HIV. Aids has already claimed almost 500 people in the state.