Kohima, Dec 2: Nagaland continues to face a high HIV burden, with an adult prevalence rate of 1.37 per cent, ranking second in the country and well above the national average of 0.21 per cent, according to the India HIV Estimates 2023.

Anoop Khinchi, Health & Family Welfare Commissioner and Chairman of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), highlighted this during the launch of the NSACS stall at Kisama on World AIDS Day. He said the state is intensifying efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3, Target 3.3, and the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by 2026.

By October, Nagaland had diagnosed 88 per cent of HIV cases, placed 79 per cent of those on treatment, and achieved 98 per cent viral suppression. Khinchi called for a united response involving government agencies, communities, the private sector, and faith-based organizations. He warned that new HIV infections are increasingly spreading beyond traditional high-risk groups, such as drug users, sex workers, and migrants, into the general “at-risk” population.

“HIV does not discriminate, and neither should we,” he said, urging compassion, testing, prevention, and expanded treatment access. Participants at the event pledged to prioritize health and combat stigma associated with HIV.

A parallel event in Kohima, organized by NSACS in collaboration with NNagaDAO and NNP+, focused on this year’s global theme: ‘Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.’ NSACS Project Director Dr. Ahu Sekhose noted that Nagaland’s national ranking improved from 19th to 8th, reflecting strong performance across several indicators and the certification of 38 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs).

However, NNagaDAO President Abou Mere expressed concern over rising infections among youth and the epidemic’s spread across all districts, citing funding challenges. NNP+ President Lanu Aier called for reviving the disbanded Legislators’ Forum on AIDS to strengthen political advocacy.

KPC President Alice Yhoshu emphasized the media’s role in countering misinformation, while Global Naga Forum co-convenor Prof. Rosemary Dzuvichu highlighted the daily challenges faced by people living with HIV and urged enhanced support for nutrition, employment, and skills development.