Aizawl, September 18, 2024: The Mizoram Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS, chaired by Health Minister Pi Lalrinpuii, met at the SAD Conference Hall, MINECO on Spetember 17, 2024 here in Aizawl. The Minister expressed gratitude for the successful convening of the forum’s first meeting under the current government. She emphasized the importance of vigilance against HIV/AIDS, which was once thought to only affect marginalized groups but is now prevalent among the general population.
Key Statistics and Discussions:
- Mizoram’s adult HIV prevalence rate stands at 2.73%, significantly higher than the national rate of 0.2%
- Between 1990 and August 2024, 31,461 people in Mizoram were diagnosed with HIV, with 2,541 cases detected among pregnant women.
- Unprotected sex and sharing of needles/syringes are the primary modes of HIV transmission, accounting for 63.93% and 30.80% of cases, respectively.
- Currently, 16,661 people are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 5,277 have died from HIV/AIDS.
- The meeting discussed the need for increased HIV testing facilities, with 39 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) and 14 ART centres operating across the state.
Future Plans and Collaborations:
- The forum aims to strengthen collaboration with MLAs to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in their constituencies.
- Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) to ensure universal access to HIV testing in line with The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)
- The meeting proposed to utilise Local Area Development fund from each MLA to strengthen NACP facilities
The meeting was attended by MLAs, advisors to the Chief Minister, opposition MLAs, and officials from the Health and Family Welfare Department and MSACS. The forum will meet quarterly to review progress, with the next meeting scheduled for October 23.