Mizoram Leads Country in Highest AIDS Cases

Aizawl, February 19, 2020:

Amid the rising number of Coronavirus infection globally, Mizoram has brought back the concerns of increasing cases of HIV/AIDS in the country.

Mizoram, according to the latest records, has topped the list of HIV/AIDS prevalence in India. With as many as 21,538 people have been infected with HIV positive in the northeastern state from October 1990 to December 2019.

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The information came to light when Mizoram Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana revealed the number of HIV positive cases as recorded by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in the Assembly on Tuesday.

He also highlighted a very important concern of the state. The rate of HIV case has been recorded the highest among youths, especially in the age group of 25-34 years. This accounts for about 42.38 per cent.

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Meanwhile, Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) Project Director Lalthlengliani said that at least 2,416 people have died due to AIDS from January 2006 to September 2019.

It may be mentioned here that Health Minister R Lalthangliana had sought financial, logistics and technical support from the UNAIDS, which in turn, assured of all possible help. They also expressed their interest in holding a joint meeting of Mizoram and UNAIDS officials to raise awareness on the growing prevalence of AIDS in Mizoram.

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It needs mention here that the first case of AIDS was reported in 1990. According to Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), 2.04 per cent of the state’s nearly 11 lakh population suffer from AIDS.

Lalthangliana had earlier said that on an average, nine people are diagnosed with HIV positive every day in Mizoram. He also said that 67 percent of the cases were sexually transmitted ones while 28.12 per cent of those were due to the usage of infected needles.

In December, Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC), a conglomerate of major churches in the state, had passed a resolution to fight AIDS.

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