SHILLONG, DEC 19: In view of the intensifying HIV epidemic in Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced a five‑year “mission‑mode” programme worth ₹25 crore to curb the alarming rise of HIV/AIDS in the state.
The proposal was approved by the state Cabinet during its last meeting of the year held on Friday.
“The way we have formulated the DREAM project… we realize that with the alarming rates and the increase of HIV/AIDS in our state, we need to come up with a mission‑mode program…for reducing the entire alarming growth of HIV/AIDS in our society,” Sangma told reporters.
“It is a five‑year mission‑mode program that has been approved by the cabinet today, with a rough estimate and budget allocation of Rs 25 crores. That is about Rs 5 crores per year, which will be used for infrastructure, awareness, campaigns, and different activities conducted through this mission program.”
Sangma highlighted that the government’s decision was based on the severity of the situation saying “The growth rate was the aspect we felt that was quite alarming.”
He revealed that Meghalaya’s HIV epidemic has intensified in recent years.
“The state’s adult HIV prevalence is 0.43% far exceeding the national average of 0.21%,” the CM stated.
As of 2024, he said roughly 9,589 people are living with HIV and new infections remain high, approximately 982 cases annually.
