The Guwahati Declaration is being viewed as a landmark initiative on the part of the political leadership to combat AIDS in the North-East. North East Conclave of elected representatives on HIV/AIDS has passed resolution to combat the menace in the region. The Guwahati declaration was signed by the North-Eastern states and union ministers and representatives of UNAIDS.

The declaration, which has been viewed as a landmark initiative on the part of the political leadership to combat AIDS, recognizes that the issue has assumed alarming dimension in the region and that    its prevention, cure and treatment should involve the political leadership. As per the      declaration, the people’s representative would ensure that the affected people are not subjected to discrimination and the HIV affected individuals would be guranted access to treatment and services.

Dr. Peter Poit, Executive Director, UNAIDS said that AIDS is the problem with solution. AIDS touches every single aspect of the society and persists with several generations not like other diseases. This is an exceptional phenomenon associated with stigma, discrimination all over the world and it poses exceptional challenge to civil society and requires exceptional response from the government and civil society both. He also said that AIDS is not mere a health problem, its developmental problem and has got multi facet dimensions. Now it comes in the category of Global warming, poverty, and terrorism. We need political momentum as well as financial momentum to defeat this problem. We should adopt a holistic view to this problem because this problem is not only associated with only one nation. In the era of globalization it is very difficult to aloof yourself from the rest of the world, because AIDS knows no boundaries. He also added that all the state that has succeeded to control this menace, through strong leadership and political will. He praised the Parliamentary forum on HIV/ AIDS in India for mobilizing the political leadership from top level to ground level.

J. D. Seelam, MP said that Co-ordination, convergence and synergy are the main parameters to tackle this problem and can be achieved through Parliamentary forum, cutting across all the political lines. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Chairman of the Convention said that this is a matter of great concern for all of us. He said this menace can only be checked by creating awareness and in order to create awareness elected representatives will play a vital role.

Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri D. D. Lapang said that matters of HIV infected persons are not being reported properly because this disease has got some stigma and those person who are suffering from this disease they are not coming to the centers and for this awareness should be created and imbibed in the mind of the people that they should come forward and only after this Government and NGOs will come forward to help them out.

Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim declares AIDS as global problem and said comprehensive global response is required to eradicate this disease. Union Minister of state for Health & Family Welfare Panabaka Laxmi said        that regional center of NACO would be opened in Guwahati for effective co-ordination. Oscor Fernandise, Union Minister for Sports and programme implementadon also emphasize the role of elected members of representative’s bodies for creating awareness and generating momentum to fight this menace.

P. R. Kyndiah, Union Minister for DoNER and chairman of NEC said that muitt prolonged strategy is needed to cope up with this problem. Cure, prevention and rehabilitation is required for the persons who are suffering from this disease’ and this will send a positive message in to the society and help in removing the stigma which is attached with AIDS. He also stated that close co ordination with NGOs, civil society and with Government would help in eradicating this disease from the North-East Region.

The convention was attended by the Chief Ministers of Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and representatives from the other North eastern States. Dr. Maxine Olson, Co-ordinator, UN system in India, call upon all the Chief ministers of the North East Region to marshal all forces to eradicate this epidemic.

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