Shillong, Oct 28: Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla has called for a change in the state’s approach to tackling the rising number of HIV cases in Meghalaya, stressing that awareness and acceptance within communities are crucial to reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek treatment.
The State is experiencing a worrying surge in HIV/AIDS cases, particularly in East Khasi Hills, where the number of confirmed cases has now doubled to 3,432.
The Health Minister said one of the main challenges remains the deep-rooted social stigma surrounding HIV. “We have to think from the perspective of those affected—what kind of challenges they are facing. There was one case I remember where a child was thrown out of school because the mother was HIV positive. In such a scenario, who will come forward for treatment?” he pointed out.
Shylla said the MACS has been advised to rethink its outreach strategy to make it more inclusive and empathetic. “We should change the way we used to operate earlier. Awareness should be given not just to HIV patients, but also to the wider community. People need to understand that those living with HIV also have the right to live with dignity,” he said.
He stressed that awareness campaigns should target both prevention and social acceptance. “We can’t just keep pushing it on MACS and expect people to turn up for testing. The fear of being ostracised keeps many away. We need to make society understand that testing and treatment are steps toward recovery, not shame,” he added.
Questioned if the State’s earlier approach was inadequate, Shylla said the existing efforts were commendable but required innovation. “I’m not saying the old approach wasn’t good enough. They’ve done a lot. But sometimes, you need to do the same thing in a different way. I think we should change our approach,” he said.
The minister also revealed that MACS has sufficient funds but struggles with effective implementation. “MACS should rethink how we use those resources,” he said, urging legislators to actively participate in spreading awareness in their constituencies.
Shylla said he has also directed MACS to revamp its awareness strategy after noticing that many communities avoid testing centres. “If people see a MACS bus coming to their village and everyone runs away, then something needs to change. We must create a more welcoming environment that encourages people to come forward,” he said.
