HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) remains a significant public health concern, often shrouded in misunderstanding. To address the rising number of cases in Mizoram, Chief Minister Lalduhoma has launched a new campaign, while also highlighting the primary causes behind the infection’s spread. A key finding is that 97.38% of HIV infections in the state are attributed to unsafe sexual practices and the sharing of contaminated needles and syringes.
To combat the increasing prevalence of HIV, the Chief Minister has initiated an IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) campaign, alongside an extensive HIV testing initiative. A key focus of this initiative is to prioritize awareness programs in villages and border regions.
**The CM’s Proactive Awareness Campaign**
The Chief Minister underscored that prevention and protection are the most effective strategies. He further stated that individuals can only protect themselves if they are aware of the disease’s transmission methods and related symptoms.
Despite existing awareness, the CM noted that consistent adherence to preventive measures is lacking, which necessitates the adoption of innovative and impactful awareness strategies.
**Factors Driving HIV Transmission**
Health officials confirmed that during the fiscal year 2024-2025, 97.38% of HIV positive cases were linked to unsafe sexual relations and the sharing of needles and syringes among individuals who inject drugs.
Unsafe sexual practices accounted for a significant portion (68.13%) of these infections, while sharing needles and syringes contributed to 29.5% of the cases.
**HIV Statistics in Mizoram**
Health Minister Laldinpuii emphasized the importance of being aware of one’s HIV status and supporting preventative measures. She acknowledged that HIV/AIDS remains a serious public health challenge, and some individuals continue engaging in risky behaviors despite the known risks.
Since October 1990, when the virus was initially identified in Mizoram, a total of 32,994 HIV positive cases have been documented. During the 2024-25 fiscal year, 2,471 individuals tested positive, including 869 women.
Mizoram has consistently been a leader in HIV prevention and care programs, ranking among the top five states in the country. The intensive IEC campaign will conduct awareness and testing in 88 villages across all 11 districts, aiming to reach the maximum number of people during this period.
**Understanding HIV**
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the human immune system, eventually leading to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
HIV attacks white blood cells, causing a weakening of the immune system. This makes the body more vulnerable to infections and other diseases. The WHO reports that HIV continues to pose a major global health challenge and has claimed an estimated 44.1 million lives globally. It is estimated that 40.8 million people will be living with HIV globally by the end of 2024. The WHO notes that currently, there is no cure for HIV infection.