Shillong, June 18 (UNI) Meghalaya is now ranked sixth among the highest HIV prevalence states in India, State Health and Family Welfare Minister, Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh said.

“There is a 221.1 per cent increase in HIV/AIDS cases in the state during the last 19 years, while Tripura has seen over 330 per cent plus.

These are alarming indicators, and this is something only a community can get together to deal with,” Lyngdoh said.

On Tuesday, the Health and Family Welfare Minister chaired 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.

Moreover, she said the state is witnessing close to 982 new HIV cases annually—a figure she described as deeply concerning.

“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 said.

The Health and Family Welfare Minister 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.

Voicing concern over the alarming increase in HIV infections in the state, Lyngdoh underscored the necessity for immediate and targeted interventions.

Emphasising that community engagement is essential in tackling the crisis, the Health and Family Welfare Minister urged local village authorities and faith-based leaders to actively support the government’s efforts in spreading awareness and encouraging preventive measures.

As an immediate step, she said the government will roll out extensive public education and awareness initiatives focused on prevention, early detection, and responsible health practices.

“We would like to see that we reduce these numbers, contain these numbers, and provide necessary medical facilities for such victims. We need to have systems which are trustworthy, and this trust that we need to give all these vulnerable groups is something we need to redesign and work on, and now we are at that stage,” Lyngdoh stated.

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