Meghalaya tops India in HIV caseload, over 10,000 patients on ART: Minister

Shillong, Feb 25 (PTI) Meghalaya has the highest HIV caseload in India with over 10,000 patients on treatment, Health Minister W Shylla told the Assembly on Wednesday, informing that the state has already approved a Rs 25-crore five-year intervention plan to address the situation.

The minister said currently, 10,293 people living with HIV are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the state.

Replying to a question by NPP legislator Mehtab Chandee A Sangma, he said the government has sanctioned Rs 25 crore for a mission-mode programme over the next five years to tackle the "alarming rise" of HIV/AIDS cases.

The minister said deaths linked to the disease over the past decade stood at 749, with East Khasi Hills accounting for 435, followed by West Jaintia Hills (123) and East Jaintia Hills (90).

Other districts reported smaller numbers, including Ri Bhoi (51), Eastern West Khasi Hills (16), West Khasi Hills (8), South West Khasi Hills (7), West Garo Hills (9), East Garo Hills (4), South Garo Hills (3), North Garo Hills (1) and South West Garo Hills (2).

"It is pertinent to note that all the reported deaths were attributed to opportunistic infections and none was reported as being directly caused by HIV/AIDS," Shylla said.

Asked about the rising infections, he said confidentiality provisions under the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act and social stigma posed major challenges.

"HIV status has to be kept confidential, tests cannot be done without consent, and we cannot force people to take medicines. Above all, stigma is playing a big role, with people afraid to come forward for testing," he said.

Despite the constraints, the department is intensifying awareness campaigns to increase treatment uptake.

Shylla credited Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and the state cabinet for approving the five-year mission to expand testing centres and manpower.

Responding to queries from legislators, including VPP MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit, the minister said the government is working with community stakeholders to encourage testing and treatment, adding that MLAs had pooled resources to donate a Bolero vehicle for people living with HIV.

"I want to inform that HIV is no longer a death sentence, though it cannot be cured, it can be treated so that patients can live a very dignified life," he said.

On infrastructure, Shylla said Meghalaya currently has 392 standalone Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) across districts, along with four mobile ICTCs deployed statewide.

He added that the National AIDS Control Organisation has sanctioned Rs 17.8 crore to the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society for 2025-26 to strengthen ongoing interventions, including awareness programmes, targeted outreach, opioid substitution therapy centres, expanded screening and care support services. PTI