Image: Northeast Now

The second edition of the North East Multi-Media campaign 2019-20 will be held in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, on December 18 net.

The campaign is to capitalize on the popularity of locally popular entertainment channels among the youths while addressing the issues of HIV and AIDS.

The campaign will be held at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre in Imphal East district.

This was announced by the Manipur health & family welfare minister L Jayentakumar during a press conference at his official quarter in Babupara in Imphal on Tuesday afternoon.

The multi-media campaign in the Northeast aims to enhance risk perception and promote safe behaviour and address issues around stigma and discrimination for people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS, said Jayentakumar.

It also aims to highlight the importance of blood safety and increase awareness on the availability of ART (Antiretroviral therapy).

The target audience for the North East Multi-Media campaign will be held under the theme ‘North East United Against HIV/AIDS’.

The campaign with target the youth between the age group of 15-29 years, he added.

The state AIDS control societies identifies the finalists based on the views of the jury and winners from each north-eastern states will perform at Imphal.

Each band has to perform two songs – one original song on HIV/AIDS or substance abuse and second song is cover song of their choice.

For successful organization of the even, a core committee was formed under the chairmanship of principal secretary (Health & Family Welfare) with the project director of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) as member secretary.

Participating in the press conference principal secretary (Health & Family Welfare) V Vumlunmang also appealed to the general public particularly the youths to come and join the campaign.

The campaign was conducted by the north-eastern states since 2009 in collaboration with National AIDS Control Organization every year to encourage awareness, compassion, education and support for the issue of HIV and AIDS in the region.

The first edition of the campaign was held in Kohima on February 18 earlier this year.

The project director Haobam Rosita of MSACS was also present during the press conference.