Ind inquiry demanded

“We want that an independent inquiry should be instituted immediately to investigate into the matter,” MeDUNet general secretary Arborlang Thangkhiew told reporters at a press conference held here on Monday.

Maintaining that they are not defending the organization, he however said alleged that the report of the fact finding team was “bias” and it was also different from the one conducted by MACS.

It may be mentioned that the MACS has decided to terminate the contract with VHAM centres in Jowai and Ladrymbai with effect from December 1, following the alleged misappropriation of funds by the organization.

Thangkhiew however said that the decision taken was a harsh one because the authorities concerned should have punished only those staffs found to be responsible for such irregularities.

“Therefore, we reiterated institution of an independent inquiry and let law take its own course,” he said.

Earlier, the members of the MeDUNet had also staged a protest in front of the office of the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) recently.

Thangkhiew said that the officials of the MACS have asked for 30 days time to decide on the demands put forth by the drug users adding that the organization is hoping to get a positive response.

The VHAM IDU Targeted Intervention (TI) cum Oral Substitution Therapy in Jowai and VHAM CC TI in Ladrymbai 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.

Asked, he alleged that the fact finding team had gone to conduct the inquiry with purpose to defame the VHAM.

“Most of our members were also threatened by the fact finding team, who even change the statements of our members. The report of the fact finding was more or less exaggerated,” he said.

He claimed that the issue of expired syringes in fact had been rectified and there have been no cases reported from drug users that they have been affected due to this.

On the decision of the MACS to tie up with a new organisation – Mihmyntdu Community Social Service Association (MCSWSO) for the project, Thangkhiew however said the MeDUNet was not happy with the decision since it was taken without consultation with the stakeholders.

“We are not sure if the new NGO is accredited with the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers because giving OST to drug users requires trained people,” he said.

Denying the allegation that drug users were deprived of OST, MeDUNet member Deimon Syngkon said, “As per guidelines by NACO, a drug user if he comes in an intoxicant state, he should not be given OST or syringes because it may affect his health.”

He also said that the money of Rs 30 collected from drug users was a membership fees and not as alleged that it was taken as charge for OST given to them.

By Our Reporter