Meeting on HIV/AIDSChaired by Mizoram Health Minister Dr R. Lalthangliana, state health department officials and the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) held discussions on the HIV/AIDS scenario in Mizoram in Delhi on Sunday.
AHF and Zoram Medical College had inked a memorandum of understanding on September 27 to make coordinated efforts to combat HIV/AIDS prevalence in the state.The widespread prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Mizoram and the immense community transmission among the general public was discussed in the meeting when the importance of aggressive testing was emphasized.
The AHF officials underlined the need for safety of girls from HIV and their future education.Ms. Terri Ford, Chief of Global Advocacy, Policy & Marketing, Lyle Honig, Chief Financial Officer, AHF & Bureau Chief India and Dr Sam Prasad, Country Program Director India Cares represented the AHF while Mission Director ofMizoram’s National Health Mission Dr. Eric Zomawia and other state health department officials attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, at least 25,982 HIV infected people have been detected of which 3,506people have died due to AIDS since 2005 till March this year, according to the records of theMizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS).Records maintained by the MSACS revealed that 8,97,802 samples have been testedfor HIV/AIDS of which 5,93,599 people (66.12 per cent) were general clients while 3,04,203people (33.88 per cent) were pregnant women.
At least 23,755 people identified as infected with HIV belonged to the general clients(4 per cent), 2,227 pregnant women were found to be infected.Of the total number of HIV infected people identified, around 65 per cent wereinfected through unsafe sex, the records said.
MSACS records said that of 3,506 people who have died due to AIDS till March 31,this year, 2,250 (64.18 per cent) were males, 1,187 (33.86 per cent) were females and 69(1.97 per cent) were children.State Health department officials said that while 17,917 HIV positives have been takingAnti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) treatment, 20,542 people have registered themselves andwere yet to take ART treatment.
