HIV infections increases by 10 percent in Meghalaya: NACO

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 14, 2019

SHILLONG: There has been a 10 percent increased of new HIV infections in Meghalaya during 2017.

This was informed by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) officials during a sensitization programme on HIV/AIDS related issues for legislators of the Meghalaya Assembly held just after the budget session was concluded here on Thursday.

Organized by the Meghalaya Legislators Forum on HIV/AIDS in collaboration with the health department, the programme was attended by Assembly Speaker Donkupar Roy, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma besides other legislators.

Lectures were delivered on the role and responsibilities of the MLFA and the legislators towards the issue.

According to ‘HIV Estimations 2017: Technical Report’ by NACO, while the new infections are declining nationally, five states including Meghalaya have witnessed an increased in 2017 in comparison to 2010.

The NACO official also stated that as per the report, the HIV incidence per 1000 uninfected population in 2017 was highest in Mizoram at 1.32 percent while in Meghalaya it was at 0.11 percent.

Project Director of the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society, Dr. S Lyngdoh informed that nearly 4,000 people have been tested positive for HIV while the state saw almost 500 deaths since 2004 till today.

Dr Lyngdoh further said that Meghalaya has been ranked as number one state for having highest number sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases.

According to the NACO official, due to STI, there are more chances of people having HIV infections.

Asked, Dr Lyngdoh attributed the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the state due to increase in population besides increase in drug users, men having sex with men (MSM), sex workers and others.