Meghalaya sees 221% surge in HIV cases; Minister urges ‘non-judgmental’ approach

Shillong, June 16: Meghalaya has recorded a 221 percent increase in HIV/AIDS cases even as the Minister in-charge Health & Family Welfare Ampareen Lyngdoh has asserted the need to discuss the problem without being “judgmental” and find ways and means to stop the spread of the disease.

“There is 221.1 percent increase in HIV/AIDS cases in the state during the last 19 years while Tripura is at 330 percent plus…We must make sure that this is not a headline that will be used to shame a state but these are details which should not allow any other concerned except that of redressing the problem. Very alarming indicators and this is something only a community can get together to deal with it,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

“I am requesting MLAs to come on board. Everything can be worked out in the leadership of elected representatives whether you are an MLA or an MDC, come forward join hands and do what you can, walk that extra mile and discuss this problem without being judgmental. Let see how best we can work and find a way out and a solution,” she added.

The minister informed that the government has come up with the Integrated Health Campaign that needs to be developed in the interest of discussing HIV/AIDS which is becoming alarming in the state of Meghalaya.

“Certain localities, communities are more vulnerable. Without isolating victims of HIV/AIDS and without intruding into the privacy of their disclosure, government of Meghalaya has to take some actions that will contain the spread of HIV/AIDS,” she said.

After chairing a meeting on intra-departmental discussion on the issue, Lyngdoh said, “Otherwise social welfare done their own thing, education department will do their own thing and health department will do their own thing and at the end of the day everybody is missing the target. We would like to see that we reduce these numbers, contain these numbers, provide necessary medical facilities for such victims.”

She expressed concern over lack of information and awareness about the disease and said,  “We don’t know what HIV/AIDS is and because everybody wants to shy away from discussing HIV/AIDS likely people living with HIV/AIDS do not even know what their symptoms are. What causes the spread of HIV/AIDS? We are aware our community is an advanced community. We know injecting drug users and sharing of needles is one of the causes but the point here is the community willing to discuss this. Are we willing to be there knowing very well that the practice of drugs is becoming a big matter in our homes, communities and localities.”

The minister emphasized the importance of discussing and addressing the problem without being judgmental.

“On the one hand, provision of save needles is a popular practice but how do we popularise use of save needles without sending the wrong message that okay we know you are a drug addict but we will still give you the needles. We need to draw a line, how do we do it, how best can we do it is something which needs urgent discussion,” she said.

Further, Lyngdoh said everybody is judgmental when we talk about commercial sex working. On the one hand there are silent CSWs and on the other hand there are loud and boldl CSWs.

“Is the community willing to sit down and talk about it. Why is it that there is the need for a profession under the commercial sex working.
So if our communities are not willing to let go and shed this judgmental approach I think this problem will continue to envelope us,” she said adding “I feel that may be it is time that we look at this problem, talk about the problem, make sure we know what we are doing, make sure that whoever is practicing or likely a victim of HIV/AIDS does not shy away from coming forward.”

“We need to have systems which are trust worthy and this trust that we need to give all these vulnerable groups is something we need to redesign and work on and now we are at that stage,”she added further.

Meanwhile, all departments have been asked to prepare their programmes to deal with the issue ahead of the celebration of international day against drugs, which will be held on June 26.