Drug users stage protest

From a Correspondent

Shillong, Nov 24: Drug users of the State, especially from Jowai and Lad Rymbai,  staged a protest outside the office of Meghalaya Aids Control Society (MACS) on Friday, in support of their demand for the reinstatement of Voluntary Health Association of Meghalaya (VHAM) as partners for their treatment.

“We want our treatment and other services to be continued in the VHAM centres and not anywhere else,” Meghalaya Drug Users Network (MeDUNet) general secretary, Arborlang Thangkhiew told media persons after meeting officials of the MACs on Friday.

It may be mentioned that the MACS has decided to termite the contact with VHAM centres in Jowai and Ladrymbai with effect from December 1, after alleged misappropriation of funds by VHAM in these two centres.

It may be mentioned that the VHAM IDU Targeted Intervention (TI) cum Oral Substitution Therapy in Jowai and VHAM CC TI in Ladrymbai in West and East Jaintia Hills were alleged of funds embezzlement amounting to the tune of Rs 15 lakh, from 2015 till mid 2017, while distributing expired syringes to Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), thereby putting at risk the lives of its clients.

MACS authorities on Frday said that there would be tie up with a new organisation – Mihmyntdu Community Social Service Association.

“The services will be the same and it will not affect the community. We appeal to the MeDUNet to cooperate with us,” MACS Project Director Dr (Mrs) L Lyngdoh Mawi told media persons.

On the demand of the MeDUNet to reinstate VHAM, Dr Mawi said that the issue will have to be decided by the governing body of VHAM.

The MeDUNet has, however, expressed their unhappiness over the decision of the MACs to hand over the project Mih Myntdu Community Social Welfare Social Organisation.

“We are not sure if the new NGO is accredited with the tiol Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (BH),” Thangkhiew said.

Thangkhiew also said the MACS did not consult the stakeholders before deciding to termite the services of VHAM.

On the allegation of misappropriation of funds, the (MeDUNet) general secretary said that the report of the fact finding team was biased and baseless.

Terming the allegations of embezzlement of funds by VHAM a blatant attempt to tarnish the image of the organisation, Thangkhiew demanded MACs to conduct an independent inquiry to investigate into this whole controversy.

At the same time, MeDUNet also demanded that the service of all the staff of the Family Health Intertiol based with NETSU to be termited right from the Deputy Leader down to the Field Mentors.