The recent data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) has identified a surge in HIV/AIDs cases in the north-eastern states of India, specifically Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura. The rise is primarily attributed to the risky behaviours such as unsafe sex practices and the use of injection drugs among individuals in these regions. Additionally, the proximity to the Indo-Myanmar border, a part of the Golden Triangle notorious for illicit drug trafficking, has amplified the problem of drug abuse and subsequently, the spread of HIV.
HIV Hotspots in North-East India
The MOHFW reports that HIV cases in the north-eastern states of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura are on the rise. This spike is mainly due to high-risk behaviours, including unsafe sexual practices and the prevalent use of injecting drugs amongst the population. The situation is worsened by the long boundary shared with Myanmar, which forms a part of the infamous Golden Triangle known for drug trafficking. It’s a significant source of IV drug abuse, particularly heroin, resulting in a substantial increase in the number of Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) and the subsequent transmission of HIV.
The Need for Prevention and Intervention Strategies
The current scenario calls for immediate preventive measures and intervention strategies in these high-risk regions. The focus should be on extensive coverage and accessibility for the at-risk population, ensuring they have easy access to prevention and treatment facilities. The National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) emphasizes the need to encourage more people to take voluntary HIV tests and support those tested positive with Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART).
The Current State of HIV Prevalence
The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), in its 2017 report, revealed alarming figures regarding HIV prevalence across different states and demographics. Amongst all the north-eastern states, Mizoram topped the chart with a prevalence rate of 1.19 percent, followed by Nagaland (0.82 percent), Meghalaya (0.73 percent), Tripura (0.56 percent) and Manipur (0.47 percent). The rate was significantly higher amongst pregnant women visiting ante-natal clinics (ANC) in these states, as well as among sex workers. Aizawl district reported a staggering HIV prevalence of 24.68 percent amongst sex workers, compared to an average of 1.6 percent across other Indian regions.
Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART)
Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) is a combination of several antiretroviral drugs specifically tailored to suppress the HIV virus and halt the progression of the disease within the human body. While these medications do not completely eliminate or cure the virus, they can effectively control its growth when taken in combination. NARI aims to increase the accessibility of ART for the 21 lakh people currently living with the HIV infection in India, intending to have at least 90% of them on the treatment.