Guwahati: HIV prevalence in Assam stands at just 0.13%, slightly below the national average of 0.20%. However, this statistic is entwined with a narrative of resilience, struggle, and a vigorous fight against stigma. On World AIDS Day 2025, observed on Monday, this narrative was highlighted at the Srimanta Sankaradeva International Auditorium in Kalakshetra, Guwahati. The Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) gathered a predominantly youthful audience to reaffirm their commitment to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
This year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” served as more than just a slogan; it emphasized the importance of protecting progress, enhancing HIV services, and empowering grassroots communities. Indranoshee Das, Project Director of ASACS, opened the event by reflecting on the significant advancements made since the society was founded in 1998. She reminded attendees that World AIDS Day is crucial for supporting individuals living with HIV and honoring those who have succumbed to AIDS.
Das celebrated the success of the Integrated Health Campaign in districts most vulnerable to HIV, like Nagaon, Tinsukia, Cachar, and Kamrup (M). This initiative notably improved awareness, increasing the percentage of individuals aware of their HIV status from 52.38% in 2022–23 to 91% in 2025–26, thereby achieving a key goal set by UNAIDS.
Lakshmanan S, Mission Director of the National Health Mission in Assam, termed the fight against HIV as an ongoing battle. He highlighted the alarming increase in injecting drug use, now linked to more than 60% of newly detected HIV cases in the state. He expressed concern that stigma and discrimination against HIV-positive individuals persist despite numerous educational campaigns.
Echoing these sentiments, Umesh Phangcho, Director of Health Services, emphasized that awareness is still the most potent weapon against HIV. He urged young people to steer clear of high-risk behaviors, including unprotected sex and drug use. Jahnabi Goswami, president of the Assam Network of Positive People, shared her personal experiences, underscoring that discrimination continues to be a significant issue and calling for more awareness to ensure dignity and equality for those living with HIV.
The event recognized the accomplishments of 13 districts-Kamrup, Kamrup (M), Morigaon, Cachar, Hailakandi, Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Nalbari, Bongaigaon, and Goalpara-for their successful completion of a 60-day Intensified IEC Campaign run from August to October 2025. Outside, ASTC buses painted with HIV awareness messages were launched, symbolically embarking on a mission to spread awareness throughout the communities of Assam. World AIDS Day was further marked by rallies, community meetings, and awareness activities across the state via mass and social media.
The data presented on HIV prevalence in Assam revealed both progress and concern. According to the HIV Estimation Report 2025, approximately 33,174 individuals in Assam are living with HIV, in contrast to an estimated 2.56 million across India. In 2024–25, there were around 1,757 new infections. Nagaon reported the highest number of HIV cases at 4,622, followed closely by Kamrup Metro with 3,938 and Cachar with 3,646.
New detections between April and October 2025 showed Kamrup Metro leading with 824 cases, followed by Nagaon with 464, and Sonitpur with 332. The method of transmission has shifted significantly; while heterosexual transmission constituted 77.3% of new cases in 2020–21, it plummeted to 27% by 2025–26. Conversely, HIV detected among injecting drug users soared from 8.5% to 60% during the same timeframe.
Despite these challenges, Assam’s focused campaigns, particularly the Integrated Health Campaign, have brought the state closer to achieving the global 95-95-95 goal, which aims for 95% of those living with HIV to know their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals to receive treatment, and 95% of those in treatment to achieve viral suppression.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/hiv-in-assam-state-achieves-91-first-95-target-but-drug-use-infections-rise.html
Category: Assam,Top News
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Publish Date: 2025-12-01 21:32:00
