Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has voiced concern over the rising number of HIV-positive cases in the state.
CM Khandu stressed the need for urgent and effective steps to curb its spread, combat ignorance, and end social ostracism.
The chief minister chaired the 3rd State Council on AIDS (SCA) Meeting of the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society on Friday (September 3).
The meeting was attended by cabinet colleagues, advisors, senior officers, NGOs and community-based organisations.
In a post on X, he said, “Our collective resolve is to strengthen awareness, prevention, and care measures to protect every life and build a compassionate, informed society.”
According to the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society, the number of cumulative HIV seropositive cases is 2,575 as on March 31 this year.
CM Khandu later chaired the 2nd meeting of the Arunachal Pradesh Psychoactive Substances Control Authority, which focused on addressing the growing menace of drug addiction in the state.
“The meeting underlined that consumers are victims who need care and support, not punishment. The focus has now shifted towards suppliers and peddlers, the real drivers of this menace,” the CM said.
He said discussions also stressed strengthening rehabilitation and counselling facilities, intensifying the crackdown on the supply chain, and building a community-driven movement for a drug-free Arunachal.
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Health and Family Welfare Minister Biyuram Wahge highlighted the latest data, revealing that HIV/AIDS transmission through infected needles accounted for 66.55 per cent of cases, while unprotected sex contributed 30.55 per cent.
“This underlines the urgent need to tackle drug abuse alongside HIV prevention,” Wahge said in a social media post.
