Adult HIV prevalence in Meghalaya is 0.43%, far above national average of 0.21%
Shillong, Dec 19: Alarmed by the growing number of HIV/AIDS cases in Meghalaya, the state government decided to launch a five‑year mission‑mode programme worth ₹25 crore to tackle the epidemic.
“It is a five‑year mission‑mode programme that was approved by the cabinet today, with a rough estimate and budget allocation of Rs 25 crore,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Friday.
The amount that translates into Rs 5 crore per year will be used for infrastructure, awareness, campaigns, and different activities conducted through the mission-mode programme.
Drawing parallel with the DREAM project to tackle drug menace, he said, “We realise that we need to come up with a mission‑mode programme to reduce the alarming growth of HIV/AIDS in our society.”
The Chief Minister said the government’s decision was based on the severity of the situation saying, “The growth rate was the aspect… we felt that was quite alarming.”
He mentioned that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the state has intensified in recent years.
“The state’s adult HIV prevalence is 0.43%, far exceeding the national average of 0.21%,” he said.
As of 2024, he said, roughly 9,589 people were living with HIV/AIDS and new infections remain high, approximately 982 cases annually.
