Meghalaya has the highest HIV caseload in India with 10,293 people currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), Health Minister W Shylla informed the Assembly on Wednesday, announcing a Rs 25-crore five-year mission to tackle what he described as an “alarming rise” in cases.
Replying to a question by NPP legislator Mehtab Chandee A Sangma, Shylla said the government has sanctioned funds for a mission-mode programme aimed at strengthening prevention, testing and treatment infrastructure across the state.
Over the past decade, 749 deaths linked to the disease have been recorded. East Khasi Hills reported the highest number at 435, followed by West Jaintia Hills (123) and East Jaintia Hills (90). Other districts reported lower figures: 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.
Also read: Around 90 HIV+ cases reported in Burdwan
Addressing concerns over rising infections, he pointed to confidentiality provisions under the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act and persistent stigma as major hurdles. “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 these constraints, the department is intensifying awareness campaigns to boost testing and treatment uptake. Shylla credited Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and the cabinet for backing the five-year mission, which will expand testing centres and manpower.
Responding to queries, including from VPP MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit, the minister said 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.
Meghalaya currently has 392 standalone Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres and four mobile ICTCs. The National AIDS Control Organisation has sanctioned Rs 17.8 crore to the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society for 2025–26 to strengthen awareness, targeted outreach, opioid substitution therapy, expanded screening and care support services.
Follow us
