Although HIV/AIDS prevalence in India is low at 0.21 per cent, in Meghalaya the adult prevalence is double that at 0.42 per cent, with, as of June, 9,130 people in the state living with HIV/AIDS.
This was informed by the Project Director of the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS), Dr Beth Decruse, here today during a launch programme of the Intensified IEC Campaign 2024.
Dr Decruse also informed that those started on antiretroviral treatment (ART) are 8,354, those who are alive and on treatment is 6,250. She added that the new HIV infection from April 2023 to March 2024 is 1,524.
The MACS Project Director felt that the cases increased because of the integrated health camp organised at hotspot districts in the state like East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills. Dr Decruse said that the free health camps paved the way for people to voluntarily come up and get themselves tested.
The launch program today coincides with the International Youth Day 2024, which witnessed the participation of several school and college students. Health Minister Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh officially launched the Intensified Information Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign 2024. This campaign will be two months’ long to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS.
With the theme ‘From clicks to progress: Youth digital pathways for sustainable development’ MACS aims to spread awareness through various platforms and methods, one being social media. The main objectives of this campaign are, to enhance knowledge and understanding of HIV among the general population, to promote safe practices, reduce stigma and create demand for HIV sexually transmitted infection (STI) services.
The comprehensive knowledge of the people of the state on HIV/AIDS, according to the National Family Health Survey 2021, is only 16 percent among females and 17 percent among males. These figures underscore the urgent need for intensified efforts to combat HIV and STI epidemics.
Lyngdoh also launched the HEP Care Project, which is a community action for rapid elimination of hepatitis.
