Meghalaya stands in sixth position in the prevalence of HIV in the country, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh informed today.
This was revealed after a high-level meeting with medical experts and officials from various departments to formulate strategies aimed at containing the spread of the virus across the state.
Lyngdoh also informed that around 15 to 17 per cent of the HIV positive patients have stopped their medication. “Why they stopped midway into their treatment we have to look into the causes why,” she said.
The Health Minister said that there needs to be a discussion with the targeted intervention groups like doctors, religious leaders to see that the spread of HIV does not become a danger to society.
Stating that the situation was alarming, she said that the state will have to adopt aggressive practice.
Lyngdoh said that, without discriminating against HIV patients, there is also a need to look into the safety of the society is not affected.
The minister identified needle-sharing among drug users and unprotected sexual activity especially involving commercial sex workers as key contributors to the growing number of cases. She also pointed to the lack of voluntary testing as a significant challenge, warning that it poses a serious risk not only to individuals but also to families and entire communities.
As an immediate step, the government will roll out extensive public education and awareness initiatives focused on prevention, early detection, and responsible health practices.
Lyngdoh also said that officials of the Health Department will visit Thailand to look into how the problem of HIV is being addressed. “What are the good practices of Thailand which we can adopt? We discussed it in today’s meeting,” she said.
Meghalaya witnesses around 982 new HIV cases annually, a figure Lyngdoh described as deeply concerning.
