Shillong: Meghalaya has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in India, with 10,293 infected persons currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) as of Jan, state health and family welfare minister Wailadmiki Shylla informed the assembly on Wednesday.“It is very unfortunate, but Meghalaya is having the highest cases in India,” Shylla said during question hour in response to queries on the state’s national position regarding HIV/AIDS.
The govt has approved a Rs 25-crore, five-year mission-mode programme to contain the alarming rise in HIV/AIDS cases. Additionally, the National AIDS Control Organisation has sanctioned Rs 17.8 crore to the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society for the 2025-26 financial year.Shylla said the targeted plan will expand testing infrastructure, manpower, outreach, and treatment services across the state.Over the past decade, 749 deaths linked to HIV/AIDS have been reported, with East Khasi Hills accounting for the highest toll at 435, followed by West Jaintia Hills (123), East Jaintia Hills (90), Ri Bhoi (51), and Eastern West Khasi Hills (16). Other districts reported smaller numbers, including nine deaths in West Garo Hills, eight in West Khasi Hills, seven in South West Khasi Hills, three in South Garo Hills, two in South West Garo Hills, and one in North Garo Hills.“All the reported deaths were due to opportunistic infections (OIs) and none were directly caused by HIV/AIDS,” Shylla said.He added that confidentiality under the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act remains a major challenge, as testing cannot be conducted without consent and treatment cannot be forced. Stigma and fear, he said, continue to deter many from seeking testing and treatment.Despite these constraints, the health department has intensified awareness and outreach programmes to improve early detection and treatment uptake. Meghalaya currently has 392 standalone integrated counselling and testing centres (ICTCs) across districts, along with four mobile ICTCs operating statewide.
