Shillong: Meghalaya Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has said the state is considering making pre-marital testing for HIV mandatory across the state as one of the steps to curb the rising incidence of HIV/AIDS.
Lyngdoh said Meghalaya ranks sixth nationally in terms of HIV/AIDS prevalence, with the northeastern region facing a high burden overall.
The Health minister attended a meeting chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, which was also attended by Social Welfare minister Paul Lyngdoh and eight MLAs from East Khasi Hills district to formulate a comprehensive HIV/AIDS policy in a mission mode.
“If Goa has made testing compulsory, why shouldn’t Meghalaya have its own set of laws? These laws would benefit the larger community,” she said.
Lyngdoh said HIV/AIDS cases in East Khasi Hills alone have doubled to 3,432, but only 1,581 patients were under treatment. She added that 681 patients hadn’t turned up for follow-ups, raising red flags over the state’s ability to retain patients within the treatment net.
“The most alarming numbers are actually from West and East Jaiñtia Hills. The virus is no longer a threat—it’s a full-blown crisis,” she warned.
The minister said the government would refrain from disclosing location-specific data to prevent stigma but confirmed that Meghalaya’s HIV/AIDS burden has reached critical levels.
She said the government was seriously considering making HIV testing compulsory before marriage.
The Health Department has been directed to prepare a cabinet note for the policy.
Lyngdoh also stressed that while awareness is no longer a major issue, the real challenge lies in improving testing and screening.
She said 159 deaths have been attributed to the loss of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) treatment in the district.
“We must ensure that everyone who has been tested is brought into the treatment system. HIV/AIDS is not fatal if treated properly, just like cancer or TB,” she said.
UNAIDS and WHO also strongly oppose mandatory or compulsory HIV testing and advocate for voluntary, confidential testing with informed consent.
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However, a large number of people remain reluctant to get tested, which hinders surveillance and treatment efforts. “There are likely many more in our communities who remain undiagnosed. That’s the scariest part,” she stated.
