Kohima: Nagaland has the second-highest adult HIV prevalence rate in the country at 1.37 per cent—significantly higher than the national average of 0.21 per cent—according to the India HIV Estimates 2023.
The data was shared by Anoop Khinchi, Commissioner and Secretary of Health & Family Welfare and Chairman of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), while inaugurating the NSACS stall at Kisama on Monday as part of World AIDS Day observances.
Khinchi said Nagaland is intensifying efforts to achieve SDG Goal 3 Target 3.3 and the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals. As of October, the state had reached 88 per cent for the first 95 (diagnosis), 79 per cent for the second 95 (treatment), and 98 per cent for the third 95 (viral suppression).
He expressed confidence that Nagaland could meet the global targets by 2026 but stressed that progress requires coordinated action from government agencies, communities, private institutions and faith-based organisations.
He cautioned that HIV infections are increasingly shifting from traditional High Risk Groups (HRGs), including people who inject drugs (PWIDs), female sex workers, MSMs, transgenders, migrants and prison inmates, to the broader “at-risk” population engaging in unsafe behaviour.
HIV does not discriminate, and neither should we,” he said, urging compassion, widespread testing, preventive measures and greater access to treatment.
Participants at the event took a pledge to prioritise their health, make responsible choices and stand against stigma and discrimination.
A separate state-level programme was also held in Kohima, organised by NSACS in partnership with NNagaDAO, NNP+ and development partners, centred on the global theme: “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.”
Delivering the keynote address, NSACS Project Director Dr. Ahu Sekhose said Nagaland’s performance has seen remarkable improvement, moving from 19th to 8th place in NACO’s national rankings. He added that Nagaland is among six states on track to achieve the 95-95-95 goals, supported by strong outcomes across 50 indicators and five-star certification for 38 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs).
However, NNagaDAO president Abou Mere cautioned that infections are rising among young people and spreading across all districts. He also highlighted “critical funding constraints” affecting key interventions.
NNP+ president Lanu Aier reiterated the call for reviving the Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA), disbanded in 2020, arguing that political advocacy remains essential.
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KPC president Alice Yhoshu underscored the media’s role in tackling misinformation, while Global Naga Forum co-convenor Prof. Rosemary Dzuvichu highlighted the daily struggles faced by people living with HIV, calling for stronger support in nutrition, employment and skill development.
