Mizoram CM makes clarion call to fight AIDS

Newmai News Network

Aizawl | October 11

Mizoram Chief Minister, Zoramthanga on October 11 made a clarion call to fight HIV/AIDS in the state.

 

Kicking off HIV/AIDS sensitization campaign programme at a function held at the Chief Minister Conference Hall here on Friday, Zoramthanga said the present status of Mizoram in HIV/AIDS prevalence was not negligible.

 

“Mizoram has the dubious distinction of being the highest HIV prevalence state in the country. The deadly disease should be fought on a war footing so that the state registers low rate,” he said.

 

The Chief Minister then said that efforts should be made with renewed vigour to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and its treatment and prevention.

 

He thanked officials for launching the sensitization programme in the state capital.

 

He also asked the denizens to pay attention to the various important measures being taken up by the government and medical experts towards fighting the deadly disease

 

Earlier, the meeting of Aizawl District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee had decided to launch sensitization programme on AIDS in all government offices within Aizawl.

 

In the first phase, the sensitization programme will be launched in 10 selected government offices in Aizawl with Chief Minister's Secretariat being the first where the campaign to begin.

 

The launch event was attended by many officials, including Aizawl district Deputy Commissioner, Vanlalngaihsaka, Additional DC and Aizawl district AIDS Prevention and Control Committee Chairman, John LT Sanga and Mizoram State Aids Control Society (MSACS) project director, Dr Lalthlengliani.

 

Dr Lalthlengliani said that nearly 2,000 people have died due to AIDS in Mizoram since the first case was detected in October 1990.

 

While the rate of HIV prevalence in the country shows a declining trend, Mizoram, on the other hand, registers growth in the number of people living with HIV positive.

 

Quoting a report by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in 2017, the director said that at least 2.04 per cent of Mizoram’s population was found living with HIV positive against the national average of 0.2 per cent.

 

She also said that Mizoram recorded the highest HIV prevalence rate in the country, followed by Manipur (1.43 %) and Nagaland (1.15%).