Nagaland Reports Significant Decline in HIV Infections and AIDS Deaths

Progress in HIV Management in Nagaland

Dimapur, Aug 13: The Health and Family Welfare Minister of Nagaland, P Paiwang Konyak, announced on Wednesday that the state has achieved a remarkable 39.97% decrease in new HIV infections and an 80.21% drop in AIDS-related fatalities since 2010.

Konyak emphasized that this progress highlights the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and consistent treatment in combating the disease.

Despite these advancements, he acknowledged that Nagaland still faces considerable challenges regarding HIV.

During the launch of the third phase of an intensified information, education, and communication (IEC) initiative on HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on International Youth Day at Agri Expo, 4th Mile, Chumoukedima, he noted the achievements made through ongoing prevention, testing, and treatment efforts.

He pointed out that HIV prevalence differs across various districts, necessitating tailored local responses, as indicated by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) HIV Estimation 2025.

Konyak expressed gratitude for the support and leadership from the Government of India and NACO, stating that the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) strategy offers a framework for district-led, evidence-based, and outcome-focused interventions.

The campaign, organized by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) under NACO's guidance, aims to enhance awareness about HIV and STIs, promote prevention and early testing, combat stigma and discrimination, and improve access to healthcare services throughout the state.

Launching the campaign on International Youth Day serves as a reminder of the collective commitment to protect the health, dignity, and future of Nagaland's residents, according to Konyak.

He highlighted that young individuals are not just future leaders but also vital partners in shaping the present, underscoring the necessity to invest in their health, education, and empowerment.

Konyak reported that the previous two phases of the campaign successfully reached over 1,300 village meetings, more than 1,000 schools, and 200 colleges, along with conducting over 7,600 door-to-door awareness initiatives and engaging directly with over 200,000 citizens.

However, he stressed that the effectiveness of the third phase should not solely be evaluated by the number of activities conducted but rather by the lives impacted, the number of individuals seeking testing and treatment, and the reduction of stigma and discrimination.