According to officials on Tuesday, the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS among adults aged 15 to 49 in two northeastern states, Mizoram and Nagaland, is significantly higher than the 0.20 percent nationwide prevalence rate. Mizoram has a 2.73 percent adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, whereas Nagaland has a 1.37 percent rate, according to data from the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO). Compared to the other 33 states and Union Territories, the two northeastern states have a much higher adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.
Following Mizoram and Nagaland, four other northeastern states have HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rates that are higher than the national prevalence rate of 0.20 percent: Manipur (0.87 percent), Meghalaya (0.43 percent), Tripura (0.37 percent), and Arunachal Pradesh (0.25 percent), according to NACO data. Sikkim (0.11 percent) and Assam (0.13 percent) have lower adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rates than the national average.
Mizoram’s Health Minister, Lalrinpuii, has called for stronger action from legislators to tackle the country’s highest HIV prevalence rate of 2.73 percent. The Mizoram Legislative Forum on AIDS is tasked with curbing the epidemic and raising awareness. Lalrinpuii stressed the importance of regular blood testing, strict adherence to ART medication, and effective use of drop-in centers to support people living with HIV/AIDS.
Between April 2024 and January 2025, 1,769 new HIV cases were detected in Mizoram, with 67% caused by unprotected sex and 30.44 percent from sharing unsterilized syringes. Despite the high prevalence rate, Mizoram has seen positive trends, with a decline in new infections and a reduction in HIV-related fatalities. MLAs agreed to allocate Rs 50,000 for 2024-2025.
