Release date - immediately, for World AIDS Day December 1.
ICMDA HIV Initiative Press release:

Inaugural winner - Dignity and Right to Health Award.

The HIV Initiative of the International Christian Medical and Dental
Association is proud to announce that the winner of its inaugural
Dignity and Right to Health Award is Dr Biangtung Langkham, who has been
involved in early responses to the twin epidemics of drug use and HIV in
his hometown of Churachandpur, Manipur, India since the early 1990s.
Starting within the Christian community in Manipur, he has gone on to
work across tribal and religious boundaries, facilitating local
community based responses to HIV and substance misuse.  The SHALOM
project, as it came to be known, was tackling issues of harm
minimisation and community empowerment in HIV prevention a good decade
or more before such approaches became commonplace.  SHALOM is also
involved in providing care for those living with HIV and AIDS.  SHALOM
continues as a model faith based organisation (FBO) response to AIDS in
the region, and continues to work effectively with all communities.

Dr Langkham was subsequently involved in facilitating other responses
across the Northern India in as part of Emmanuel Hospital Association's
response to HIV/AIDS in India. These include programs in Mizoram, in
four other north Indian states, an Indio- Nepal Border town and New
Delhi. 

Since 2001 Dr Langkham has been based in New Delhi, as Regional Director
EHA North East and Coordinator for HIV/AIDS services of EHA. In the last
two years he has also served as the Project Director of Project ORCHID,
EHA on behalf of the India AIDS Initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation, where he has overseen a response to HIV prevention among
drug users on a scale not previously seen in Asia.  He has also been
involved providing support to the National AIDS Control Plan (NACP). He
has provided similar support for TEAR Fund and other faith based
organisations in developing their plans for India and neighbouring
countries.

The award recognises Dr Langkham's major contribution in mobilising
Christian communities to respond compassionately to individuals excluded
by society (HIV infected drug users and sex workers) on a scale that has
the opportunity of bringing the epidemic under control.


Dr. Michael Burke, Chair of the ICMDA HIV Initiative said 'The Dignity
and Right to Health Award is an international symbol of the global
response to HIV.  It is an activity of the International Christian
Medical and Dental Association HIV Initiative. The award provides an
essential opportunity to recognise, support and publicize the most
outstanding role models and champions acting to stop this global
epidemic. It is well positioned to become an important symbol for
ensuring that voices from diverse communities and countries are
acknowledged and championed.'

STOPS
About the ICMDA HIV Initiative;
The ICMDA HIV Initiative is a linked activity of the International
Christian Medical and Dental Association. We are motivated by a belief
in a loving God who cares about all the world's people regardless of
health status, race, creed, colour or financial or social standing. 

The International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA)  is
an association of more than fifty national Christian medical, dental and
health worker societies, and interested individuals, reaching out to
Christian doctors, dentists, health workers and students around the
globe.

Websites:
www.eha-health.org/hivaids.htm
www.icmdahivinitiative.org
www.icmda.net 

Press Contact:
Worldwide: Steven Fouch (UK) +44 [0] 7958 608466


Michael Burke
ICMDA HIV Initiative
+61 2 9481 7582
email team@icmdahivinitiative.org
Skype michaelburke1307
www.icmdahivinitiative.org