Meghalaya has highest HIV caseload in India, says Health Minister

GUWAHATI

Meghalaya currently has the highest human immunodeficiency virus caseload in the country, the State’s Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla told the 60-member Assembly on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Replying to a question raised by National People’s Party MLA Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma, he said 10,293 people living with HIV in Meghalaya were receiving antiretroviral treatment.

“The State government has sanctioned a ₹25-crore intervention programme for the next five years to address the alarming rise in HIV/AIDS cases,” Mr. Shylla said.

He said 949 deaths linked to the virus have been recorded in the hill State over the past decade, with East Khasi Hills district reporting 435 of these cases. Shillong is the headquarters of the district.

The Minister, however, clarified that all reported deaths were attributed to opportunistic infections and not directly to HIV/AIDS.

He cited the provisions of confidentiality in the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, and prevailing social stigma as major challenges in addressing the health issue. “Early detection and intervention get complicated because testing requires consent and treatment cannot be forced,” he said.

Mr. Shylla said the Health Department has been intensifying awareness campaigns to improve testing and treatment. Replying to questions from other MLAs, including Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit of the Voice of the People Party, he said the government has been collaborating with community stakeholders to encourage testing and regular treatment.

Meghalaya has 392 standalone integrated counselling and testing centres across the districts. Four more are mobile.