Shillong, October 27: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday announced that the Meghalaya government plans to commit ₹25 crore over the next five years to address HIV and AIDS in the state, with additional funding to be considered if required.
Speaking as the chief guest at the State Youth Festival organised by the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Sangma called for collective efforts to strengthen HIV testing, ensure uninterrupted treatment and eliminate discrimination against people living with HIV.
Expressing concern over the state’s HIV situation, the Chief Minister said the numbers were increasing and warned that delayed intervention could make the challenge more difficult to address.
He stressed that the responsibility could not rest solely with the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society, the Health Department or the government. Every citizen, he said, had a role to play in promoting prevention, testing and treatment.
Outlining the proposed five-year initiative, Sangma said the government had a plan and would provide the necessary financial support while adapting its approach based on progress and requirements.
“We have the plan, we have the money and we have the technology,” he said, referring to the availability of medicines to control HIV.
The Chief Minister emphasised the need to connect people with testing services and ensure continued access to treatment through accessible systems that protect their privacy.
He said effective implementation would require coordination among deputy commissioners, district HIV and AIDS officials, educational institutions and organisations working with young people.
Describing the initiative as a government-wide effort, Sangma highlighted the important role of district administrations in bringing services closer to those who need them.
He also referred to the global “95-95-95” targets, which aim to ensure that 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed receive sustained treatment, and 95 per cent of those receiving treatment achieve viral suppression.
Urging young people to challenge stigma and discrimination, he said the message should be clear: getting tested, accessing treatment and seeking help are necessary steps that should be encouraged rather than judged.
“It’s okay to test,” he said. “There is treatment.”
Sangma appealed to young people to use social media to spread awareness, encourage people to seek support and promote compassion towards people living with HIV and those struggling with substance use.
Earlier, the Chief Minister thanked a speaker who had shared a personal account of overcoming difficult circumstances. He said such testimony required courage and could inspire thousands of young people to make informed choices, resist peer pressure and seek help when facing challenges.
