Overview
- Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla told the Assembly that 10,293 people living with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy, the highest caseload reported by any state.
- The cabinet approved a Rs 25-crore mission-mode programme over five years to scale testing, treatment capacity, manpower, and outreach.
- NACO sanctioned Rs 17.8 crore for 2025–26 to the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society to strengthen awareness drives, targeted interventions, opioid substitution therapy centres, and expanded screening.
- Shylla reported 749 HIV-linked deaths over the past decade, attributed to opportunistic infections rather than HIV/AIDS directly, with East Khasi Hills accounting for the largest share.
- Authorities highlighted legal confidentiality and consent requirements under the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, and persistent stigma as major barriers, noting 392 ICTCs and four mobile units in operation with intensified outreach planned.