SHILLONG — Meghalaya’s HIV prevalence rate stands at 0.40%, twice the national average of 0.20%, putting renewed focus on testing, treatment and prevention across the state.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma raised the concern after chairing the inaugural meeting of the Meghalaya State Council on AIDS, calling for coordinated action involving government agencies, communities and institutions.
The state has recorded a 58.74% rise in new HIV infections since 2010, with an average of around seven new infections reported each day. The current figures also include 618 active cases, among them 60 pregnant women living with HIV.
The meeting identified five areas for immediate attention: early detection, treatment and care, prevention, preventing mother-to-child transmission, and reducing stigma around HIV/AIDS.
The government plans to expand HIV self-testing and index testing, increase mobile Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres, and establish additional Anti-Retroviral Therapy centres.
Measures will also include doorstep medicine delivery and follow-up of patients who stop attending treatment. Awareness efforts will target young people, communities, educational institutions and people affected by HIV.
The Chief Minister stressed that tackling the state’s HIV burden will require a coordinated response so that people living with HIV are not left without testing, treatment or support.
