Correspondent
SHILLONG, SEP 15 (NPN): Meghalaya’s HIV prevalence stands at 0.40 per cent, twice the national average of 0.20 per cent, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Tuesday.
Chairing the first meeting of the Meghalaya State Council on AIDS, Sangma said, HIV/AIDS remains a serious public health challenge for Meghalaya and requires a coordinated, whole-of-society response.
“Since 2010, new infections have increased by 58.74 per cent, equivalent to nearly seven cases detected every day. We currently have 618 HIV cases, including 60 pregnant women living with HIV,” he said.
While AIDS-related deaths have declined by 61.18 per cent since 2010, only 77.2 per cent of people living with HIV are on treatment, Sangma said.
Noting that Meghalaya biggest gap today is not diagnosis but treatment and retention, the Chief Minister said, “Financial constraints and stigma remain major reasons for loss to follow-up, with 2,381 diagnosed persons yet to begin treatment.”
Sangma said that the government five-pronged approach will focus on early detection, better treatment and retention, prevention of new infections, protection of mothers and children, and reducing stigma.
He said the meeting discussed expanding HIV self-testing and index partner testing, deploying mobile Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres, opening new antiretroviral therapy centres, home delivery of medicines and tracking missed appointments.
Moreover, he said the government has decided to strengthen awareness campaigns involving youth, communities, educational institutions and people living with HIV.
“Together, we must ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” the Chief Minister said.