Imphal (DIPR): Chief Minister N. Biren Singh flagged off six Mobile Integrated Counseling & Testing Centre (ICTC) vans from the western gate of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Monday.
The six Mobile ICTC vans will be operated in four valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal and two hill districts of Churachandpur and Senapati.
The mobile ICTC consists of a van with a room to conduct a general examination and counseling, and a space for the collection and processing of blood samples, etc. A mobile ICTC consisting of a team of paramedical health-care providers (a health educator/ANM, counsellor and LT) can set up a temporary clinic with flexible working hours in hard-to-reach areas, where services are provided ranging from regular health check-up, syndromic treatment for STI/reproductive tract infection (RTI) and other minor ailments, antenatal care, immunization, as well as HIV counselling and testing services.
Speaking to media persons, Chief Minister Biren stated that the problems of drug menace in Manipur could not be solved only by catching drugs and destroying poppy plantation, but also rehabilitation programmes of drug addicts is also necessary.
The Chief Minister stated that there has been a decline in the HIV prevalence, however, there is still need for proper treatment of the infected persons.
He continued that the six vans had been procured by Manipur Aids Control Society (MACS) through Government e Marketplace (GeM).
Biren continued that the mobile van will also provide for other hill districts, however, a smaller van would be used considering the narrow roads. He appealed to the public to stay away from drugs as it had affected people’s lives in many ways.
Health Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan, Project Director, MACS Haobam Rosita and other officials of MACS also attended the programme among others.
