Meghalaya leads India in HIV cases, with 10,000 people receiving treatment, according to the ministry.

Health Minister W Shylla said the Assembly on Wednesday that Meghalaya has already authorized a Rs 25-crore five-year intervention plan to address the state’s largest HIV caseload in India, with over 10,000 people undergoing treatment.According to the minister, 10,293 HIV-positive individuals in the state are now undergoing antiretroviral medication (ART).

He stated that the government has approved Rs 25 crore for a mission-mode program for the next five years to address the “alarming rise” of HIV/AIDS patients in response to a question posed by NPP lawmaker Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma.According to the minister, there have been 749 deaths associated with the condition in the last ten years, with 435 of the deaths occurring in East Khasi Hills, followed by West Jaintia Hills (123) and East Jaintia Hills (90).

Other districts reported smaller numbers, including Ri Bhoi (51), Eastern West Khasi Hills (16), West Khasi Hills (8), South West Khasi Hills (7), West Garo Hills (9), East Garo Hills (4), South Garo Hills (3), North Garo Hills (1) and South West Garo Hills (2).

“It is pertinent to note that all the reported deaths were attributed to opportunistic infections and none was reported as being directly caused by HIV/AIDS,” Shylla said.

“HIV status has to be kept confidential, tests cannot be done without consent, and we cannot force people to take medicines. Above all, stigma is playing a big role, with people afraid to come forward for testing,” he said.

The agency is stepping up awareness activities to boost treatment uptake in spite of the limitations.

Shylla gave the state government and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma credit for supporting the five-year plan to increase testing facilities and staff.  The government is collaborating with community stakeholders to promote testing and treatment, the minister said in response to questions from lawmakers, including VPP MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit. He also mentioned that MLAs have combined their funds to provide a Bolero car for HIV-positive individuals.