Shillong, Feb 25: Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla today told the Assembly that 10,293 people living with HIV are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the state.
Replying to a question by NPP legislator Mehtab Chandee A Sangma, the minister said Meghalaya recorded a total of 9,674 HIV and AIDS cases as of December 2024.
He said that the state recorded 749 deaths associated with HIV and AIDS over the past 10 years. All deaths were due to “opportunistic infections” and not directly caused by HIV/AIDS, he added.
Shylla informed that East Khasi Hills accounted for 435 deaths, followed by West Jaintia Hills (123) and East Jaintia Hills (90). Other districts reported smaller numbers, including Ri Bhoi (51), Eastern West Khasi Hills (16), West Khasi Hills (8), South West Khasi Hills (7), West Garo Hills (9), East Garo Hills (4), South Garo Hills (3), North Garo Hills (1) and South West Garo Hills (2).
Shylla said it was “very unfortunate” that Meghalaya currently ranks highest in India in terms of HIV cases.
A five-year mission-mode initiative aimed at tackling the spread of the disease in the state with a proposed outlay of Rs 25 crore was launched to strengthen testing and treatment infrastructure and augment manpower, he said. Additionally, the National AIDS Control Organisation has sanctioned Rs 17.8 crore to the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society for 2025-26.
Shylla identified stigma as one of the biggest challenges in combating HIV/AIDS and said the department has intensified awareness drives targeting the general public, high-risk groups, adolescents, youth and other vulnerable populations. The measures include screening, counselling and testing services, care, support and treatment, targeted interventions, and Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centres.
On ICTC facilities, the minister said there are 392 standalone ICTCs and four mobile ICTCs in the state. District-wise distribution includes 10 in East Khasi Hills, three in East Jaintia Hills, five in West Jaintia Hills, five in Ri-Bhoi, and five in West Garo Hills, among others. He acknowledged that the number of ICTCs in East and West Jaintia Hills is low and said the five-year mission aims to address the gap.
The minister also informed that there are five ART centres in the state, two of which are located in East Khasi Hills.
VPP MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit raised concerns over the rising prevalence and questioned the reliability of statistics when testing is voluntary. Shylla clarified that all data are based on individuals who have consented to testing, and records are maintained while ensuring confidentiality.
Basaiawmoit also flagged concerns about rising syphilis cases and emerging pockets of infection, urging the government to work closely with churches and traditional institutions to tackle stigma and encourage people to come forward.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Shylla appealed to legislators to join hands in spreading awareness and assured that HIV, though incurable, is treatable, allowing individuals to lead normal and dignified lives with regular medication.
