Aizawl, June 18, 2025: Health & Family Welfare Minister Pi Lalrinpuii, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), chaired the MSACS Governing Body meeting held today at the Secretariat Conference Hall, MINECO.
The meeting was attended by Pu H. Lalengmawia, Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Jane Rinzuali Ralte, Project Director of MSACS, and other Governing Body members.
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| Image Credit: DIPR Mizoram |
In her address, Pi Lalrinpuii expressed concern over Mizoram’s HIV prevalence rate of 2.73%, the highest in India, and stressed the urgent need for strengthening HIV prevention and control efforts across the state.
Pu H. Lalengmawia highlighted that under the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, no discrimination against persons living with HIV (PLHIV) is allowed, and they must be treated with dignity and without stigma, especially in workplaces.
According to Dr. Jane Rinzuali Ralte, from April 2024 to March 2025, 2,069 new PLHIV cases were registered across 14 ART Centres in Mizoram, with a viral suppression rate of 97.7%, meaning they cannot transmit the virus further. She also noted a declining trend in new HIV cases over the past five years.
Several initiatives were undertaken during the past year, including HIV testing campaigns at TBCC, Treatment Literacy Campaigns, Intensive IEC campaigns across districts, and Candlelight Vigils to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS-related issues.
The Mizoram State Blood Transfusion Council also received national recognition, winning the Excellence in Blood Donation Award 2023-24, emerging as the best among all Northeastern states.
The meeting also reviewed the work performance of contract staff, discussed the appointment of new governing members, and deliberated on the Annual Action Plan for 2025–26 as well as budget allocations for HIV-related programmes.
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The session concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to fight HIV and promote awareness, prevention, and compassion across all sectors of society.
