Dimapur: Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Minister P Paiwang Konyak on Wednesday said the state has recorded a 39% decline in new HIV infections and an 80% reduction in AIDS-related deaths since 2010.
Konyak said the decline reflects the impact of sustained prevention, early diagnosis and uninterrupted treatment efforts, while stressing that HIV continues to pose a significant public health challenge in the state.
He was speaking at the launch of the third round of the intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign on HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at Agri Expo, 4th Mile, Chumoukedima, on International Youth Day.
Referring to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) HIV Estimation 2025, Konyak said HIV prevalence varies across districts, requiring responses tailored to local needs.
He acknowledged the support of the Government of India and NACO and highlighted the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) approach as a framework for district-led, evidence-based interventions.
The campaign, organised by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) under NACO, aims to increase awareness about HIV and STIs, encourage prevention and early testing, address stigma and discrimination, and improve access to healthcare services.
Konyak said young people must be treated as active partners in shaping the present and stressed the importance of investing in their health, knowledge and empowerment.
He said the first two rounds of the campaign reached more than 1,300 village meetings, over 1,000 schools and 200 colleges. They also included more than 7,600 door-to-door awareness drives and direct engagement with over two lakh people.
The minister said the third round should not be judged only by the number of activities conducted, but by the people reached, increased testing and treatment, and a reduction in stigma and discrimination.