Tripura CM Highlights Rising HIV Cases and Calls for Awareness Initiatives
Rising HIV Cases in Tripura
Agartala, June 20: On Thursday, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha disclosed that Tripura is witnessing an alarming average of 120 new HIV cases each month.
During an awareness event on HIV/AIDS at the Tripura Legislative Assembly, he reported that as of May 2025, the state has documented over 5,000 AIDS cases, with more than 1,000 affecting women. He also mentioned that cases among the homosexual community have been identified.
“From April 2023 to March 2024, 204,180 individuals were tested for HIV in the state, resulting in 1,400 positive cases. In the past two months alone, 40,052 people were tested, revealing 300 new HIV cases,” the Chief Minister stated.
This awareness program was a collaborative effort between the Tripura AIDS Control Society and the state Health Department.
Former Health Minister and Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, who participated in the discussion, advocated for mandatory sex and drug education in schools for students from Class 8 to 12.
He also stressed the importance of promoting student engagement in sports and proposed the establishment of an AIDS Prevention Fund, suggesting that Rs 1 lakh from each MLA's Local Area Development Fund be allocated for this initiative. Furthermore, he recommended that HIV testing be compulsory for all patients visiting hospitals.
In response, Chief Minister Saha acknowledged the value of Barman’s proposals.
He indicated that the introduction of mandatory sex and drug education would be discussed with the Education Department officials. The Chief Minister also expressed openness to the idea of creating an AIDS prevention fund. However, he cautioned that enforcing mandatory HIV testing in hospitals without patient consent could lead to legal issues.
Dr. Saha emphasized the necessity of increasing public awareness to combat HIV/AIDS and highlighted the crucial role of youth in this endeavor.
“We need to engage our young population in sports, cultural events, and community service,” he remarked. He underscored the importance of Panchayat members, MPs, and parents in raising awareness and taking proactive measures.
In his address, the Chief Minister asserted that a healthy society is vital for human well-being. He reiterated that all blood donations and transfusions are rigorously screened to prevent HIV transmission.
“AIDS is a severe disease, and the state government is implementing various initiatives to address it,” he stated, adding that Tripura maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards both AIDS and substance abuse. Dr. Saha urged for heightened awareness among the youth and called on elected officials to collaborate across party lines to eliminate such grave health threats from society.