1. Sub-Component –1.1: Priority Targeted for High Risk Groups

The people who are highly vulnerable to HIV infection and who indulge in high-risk behaviors are Injecting Drugs Users (IDUs), Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs), STD Patients, Long Distance Truck Drivers who have multiple sex Partners, Men having sex with Men (MSMs) and Migrant Workers.
The number of Targeted Intervention (TIs) in position under Manipur State AIDS Control Society is 57 as on 31st March 2008 as detailed below:

Sub-component-1.2: Communication, Advocacy and Social Mobilisation

Information, Education and Communication (IEC) is a process that informs, motivates and helps people to adopt and maintain healthy practices and life skills. It aims at empowering individuals and enabling them to make correct decisions about safe behaviour practices. IEC also attempts to create an environment which is conducive and supports access to treatment and services for those already infected.
The Manipur State AIDS Control Society has accorded top priority to the IEC campaigns and Social Advocacy Programmes. For effective implementation of IEC Activities in the Districts, the District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit with other Departments and NGOs are working together hand in hand. In a state where hill area occupies 80 % of the total land area, MACS accorded top priority in the hill districts. IPC programmes are conducted in the villages in collaboration with the village authorities, Anganwadi Workers, Church leaders, youth clubs and District AIDS Prevention and Control Units. All the available media – print, electronic, traditional, little media are utilized to disseminate the true and correct information on HIV/AIDS including panel discussion and phone-in-programme on DDK, AIR and local cable TV networks.
Workshops/Training/Advocacy/sensitization and Awareness Programs at state and district level are organized. Traditional Media (Folk Play) which is a very popular form of entertainment both in the hills and plain alike are displayed in major dialects throughout Manipur to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Advocacy for elected representatives at three levels (3 tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions, urban local self-government institutions, State legislatures), women leaders, youth leaders, church leaders, community leaders, political leaders and decision makers were held for ownership of HIV /AIDS programmes. As a fill-up to the various political commitment made by political leaders, the Manipur Legislators’ Forum on AIDS was formed on June 30, 2007. These legislators will take the ownership of spreading the messages on HIV/AIDS to their respective constituencies and to the people. The Manipuri society has slowly woken up to the reality with the coming out of PLHAs disclosing their status in various forum of public gathering and they are being accepted. There is change of attitude among the health care providers also through capacity building and awareness programmes but they need further capacitation and awareness.

IEC & AWARENESS (Till march 2008)