Curbing HIV: High HIV Prevalence Rate in Nagaland and its Risk

Despite making visible progress in controlling the spread of HIV, evident in the steady decline of cases over the years, the epidemic continues to be a major public health challenge in Nagaland and a matter of grave concern, with the prevalence rate among the adults aged between 15 and 49 still hovering at 1.37%, the second-highest (only next to Mizoram with 2.7%) in the country. Revealing chilling data about the disease during the launch of a two-month-long Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign about HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) earlier this week in Kohima, Health Minister Paiwang Konyak said that as many as 15,323 people living with HIV are receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) in the state as of June 2025. The ongoing IEC campaign is being organised in the state under the aegis of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) with an aim to create awareness among people of all age groups across the state. At 85%, unprotected sex with an infected person is the main mode of HIV transmission in the state, followed by sharing of infected needles and syringes at 8.7% and mother-to-child transmission from parents not on treatment at 5.4%, the minister informed, citing data from the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC). This alarming trend should be arrested with urgency and intent for the simple reason that a high prevalence rate means people are exposed to a greater risk of HIV transmission and infection.

The officials said that they intend to cover hundreds of villages and educational institutions across the state over the next two months, which is encouraging. However, for a better outcome, the concerned authorities should reflect and ask why past campaigns have failed to make the intended impact in the state, based on which they can implement policy actions that will make maximum impact among the general public, especially vulnerable populations. The campaign should continue even after the completion on the ongoing programme though may not with the same intensity. Active community involvement and dissemination of information in the vernacular language spoken by the targeted audience is vital for better results. Sex education with age-appropriate information about HIV will help young people make informed decisions about their health. To prevent the spread of the virus as well as ensure overall well-being for those living with the virus, focus should be made on preventive measures, early diagnosis and availing of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Nagaland can perhaps emulate Mizoram, which has introduced an HIV self-testing programme to break test hesitancy leading to delayed diagnoses and subsequently increase the risk of transmission. Described as a revolutionary tool for Mizoram, self-testing may work for Nagaland too, as the primary modes of transmission in both states are unprotected sex and drug use. It is equally important to do away with stigmatisation and discrimination against HIV patients.