Meghalaya’s Shillong state has the highest number of HIV cases in India, with more than 10,000 patients receiving treatment, Health Minister W. Sheela told the Assembly on Wednesday, explaining that the state has already approved a plan. $A five-year intervention plan worth Rs 25 crore to address the situation.
The minister said that 10,293 HIV-positive people are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy in the state.
In response to a question from New Patriotic Party lawmaker Mehtab Chandi Sangma, he said that the government had imposed sanctions on $25 lakh crore for the mission setting program over the next five years to address the “alarming rise” in HIV/AIDS cases.
The minister said deaths linked to the disease over the past decade stood at 749, with East Khasi Hills recording 435 cases, followed by West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills.
Other districts reported lower numbers, including Ri Bhoi, East West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, North Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills.
“It is noteworthy that all the reported deaths were attributed to opportunistic infections and none of them were reported as being directly caused by HIV/AIDS,” Sheila said.
Asked about the high infection rates, he said confidentiality provisions under the HIV and AIDS Act and social stigma pose major challenges.
“HIV status must remain confidential, tests cannot be done without consent, and we cannot force people to take medications. Above all, stigma plays a big role, as people are afraid to come forward for testing,” he said.
Despite the limitations, the department is intensifying awareness campaigns to increase treatment uptake.
Sheela credited Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and the state cabinet for approving the five-year mission to expand testing centers and manpower.
Responding to queries from lawmakers, including VPP MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit, the minister said the government was working with community stakeholders to encourage testing and treatment, adding that MLAs had pooled resources to donate a Bolero to HIV-positive people.
“I want to convey that HIV is no longer a death sentence, even though it cannot be cured, but rather it can be treated so that patients can live a very dignified life,” he said.
On infrastructure, Sheela said Meghalaya currently has 392 standalone integrated counseling and testing centers across districts, besides four mobile ICT centers spread across the state.
He added that the National AIDS Organization had imposed sanctions $Rs 17.8 lakh crore to AIDS Control Society of Meghalaya for 2025-26 to strengthen ongoing interventions, including targeted sensitization and sensitization programmes, opioid substitution treatment centres, expanded screening and care support services.
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