Shillong, Jul 24: With HIV/AIDS cases rising at an alarming rate in Meghalaya, the state government is considering the introduction of mandatory HIV testing for couples before marriage, a move inspired by similar legislation implemented in Goa.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said the government might explore legal possibilities to implement such a policy, given the concerning trends in transmission and the urgent need for intervention.
Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh said that since the establishment of the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) in 2006, a significant amount of awareness has already been generated. “From 2006 to 2025, we’ve spent nearly two decades building awareness. Now, we must move to the next stage – screening, testing and treatment,” she stated.
Although there are laws that restrict mass testing efforts, Lyngdoh said if Goa could pass laws mandating premarital testing then there is no reason Meghalaya cannot craft similar legislation in the interest of community health.
Although Lyngdoh stopped short of confirming if a law is in the pipeline, she noted that the state is now mentally prepared to tackle the crisis with urgency. “We are at that point where we are ready to take the monster by its neck,” she said, adding that discussions will begin with legal experts and relevant departments to assess the feasibility of such legislation.
According to recent data shared by the Health Department, the primary mode of HIV transmission in the state is through sexual contact, particularly premarital sex among individuals aged 15 to 25. Other factors, such as multiple sexual partners – even among married individuals – have also emerged as significant contributors.
Currently, HIV testing in Meghalaya is not universal and is only mandatory in certain medical scenarios such as childbirth, surgeries, blood donation or transfusion and treatment for serious illnesses like tuberculosis. This limited scope of testing likely captures less than 30 to 40 percent of the population, leaving a vast majority untested and unaware of their status.
“We cannot fully understand the extent of the spread without broader testing. If we want to know what’s really happening, we have to revisit the legal frameworks around testing,” she added.
Responding to concerns that government spending on HIV/AIDS interventions may be poorly managed, Lyngdoh clarified that every rupee is accounted for and approved under national guidelines. She defended MACS’ engagement strategies, which have included outreach through youth events like football matches and music festivals, saying these were designed to reach the most at-risk populations.
The minister acknowledged that while earlier awareness campaigns relied heavily on churches and NGOs, the government now needs to re-evaluate outcomes and focus on more result-oriented interventions.
When asked if the government is prepared to adopt a pandemic-like approach similar to Covid-19 management, Lyngdoh said the matter was discussed in the recent MLA forum. “If such an approach is needed, we are willing to take it,” she said.
The government has also pledged to place a formal policy proposal before the cabinet to streamline future testing, data collection, and treatment protocols, in what may become the state’s strongest institutional response to HIV/AIDS since the inception of MACS nearly two decades ago.
