Nagaland still second highest HIV prevalence in adults: Paiwang

Minister Health & Family Welfare P. Paiwang Konyak on Tuesday said that as per Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) programme data, HIV epidemic in Nagaland has showing a steady decline over the past few years. However, Paiwang Konyak has expressed concern over the HIV prevalence rate (1.37%) amongst the adult population (15-49 years), which is still the second highest prevalence in India.
Speaking at the launch of the Intensified IEC campaign 2.0 at the NBCC convention centre Kohima organised by Nagaland State Aids Control Society (NSACS), the minister said that Nagaland epidemic was driven by transmission through unprotected sex (85%), injecting routes (8.7%) and thirdly from an infected parent, who are not on treatment, to the unborn child (5.4%).
Over the next two months, the minister said they would reach out to communities in every corner: urban and rural, young and old. Asserting that information alone was not enough, Paiwang said it must be communicated in ways that connect with people’s lives, beliefs and aspirations.
The minister informed that as of June 2025, a total of 15,323 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) were on Anti-Retroviral Therapy/Treatment (ART).
He said Nagaland was also one of the States in India which has established Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centre in all the District Hospitals, some CHC, PHC, Wellness Centres and NGOs.
At present, he said Nagaland has 64 centres providing treatment therapy to more than 10000 Injecting Drug Users from across the State
“Campaigns alone do not create change. People do. You do, the health workers on the ground, the community leaders, the media voices, the young advocates, each conversation you have, each poster you put up, each story you tell has the power to change lives,” Paiwang stated.
Encouraging all to work with passion, the minister said “if every one of us takes responsibility, this campaign will not just be an event but it will be a movement.”
In his speech, commissioner and secretary Anoop Khinchi informed that over the years the state government through the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) worked tirelessly to spread awareness, provide testing and treatment services, and fight stigma. “But this work is never done.
Awareness must be continuous, innovative and must reach deep into our communities, meeting people where they are,” he said.
Stressing on the importance of intensified IEC campaign, Khinchi assured that government remained committed to ensuring that every person in Nagaland had access to accurate information, quality health services, and a supportive environment where they could make informed choices.
On behalf of the state government, the commissioner & secretary pledged unwavering support—
through resources, policies, and partnerships — towards this cause. “Together, we can build a Nagaland where every person is informed, empowered, and treated with dignity,” he added.
Earlier at the launching event, project director Ahu Sekhose delivered welcome address while SBCK associate pastor Lujeka Assumi offered invocation. ACE crew displayed red ribbon welcome dance.
A short speech on “this is our time, young voices for a healthier future” was presented by Mezhütuo – ü Thira of Kohima college. “HIV LIZO” the campaign theme song was performed by Tetseo Sisters.
It was informed that 66 schools and colleges participated in today’s event.