AIZAWL: The latest report by the Mizoram State Aids Control Society (MSACS) has highlighted the alarming rate of HIV infections in Mizoram, with 16,217 individuals currently affected.
According to the report, 5,021 HIV-related deaths have been recorded over the past two decades.
The detailed report on Mizoram’s HIV/AIDS status was provided Dr. Lalthlengliani, Project Director of MSACS, during a meeting of the Mizoram State Council on AIDS on Monday at the CM Conference Hall.
Dr. Lalthlengliani stated that of the 16,217 HIV-positive individuals currently undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), 500 are from outside the state.
There are still 633 people who have tested positive but are refusing to begin ART, the report stated.
The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) has estimated that Mizoram’s adult HIV prevalence rate in 2023 is 2.73%, which is considerably higher than the national average of 0.2%.
Mizoram’s high HIV prevalence rate can be attributed to the late detection of the peak level of infections, which occurred in 2017 compared to other states that recorded their peak levels as early as 2005.
The Mizoram State Council on AIDS reported that HIV-positive mothers can protect their babies from HIV during pregnancy and that they are working hard to eradicate the spread of the virus from a pregnant mother to an unborn child.
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It reported that in 2023, only two babies contracted HIV from 120 HIV-positive mothers who gave birth. This success is attributed to proactive measures to ensure pregnant women are quickly identified and treated.
The MSACS is hopeful that through sustained efforts and effective campaigns, the spread of HIV/AIDS can be significantly curtailed.
