The HIV demographic in Nagaland is experiencing a notable transition from traditional high-risk groups to a broader at-risk population. Dr. Keveduyi Theyo, the Mission Director of Health and Family Welfare, highlighted this shift during an event in Dimapur celebrating World AIDS Day 2025 on December 1. He stated, “HIV positivity is slowly shifting from the high-risk group to those who do not identify as high-risk but engage in risky behaviors.”
The district-level event was organized by the District Integrated Strategy for HIV & AIDS in cooperation with Sshakti CSC 2.0, various targeted intervention NGOs, and development partners. The theme for 2025 is centered on “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.”
Dr. Theyo emphasized the need for stronger community efforts to lower the state’s HIV prevalence rate below a public health threat and to strive toward Sustainable Development Goal 3, Target 3.3, by 2030. Citing the India HIV Estimates 2023, he reported that Nagaland has the second-highest HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 to 49 years in the country, at 1.37 percent, surpassed only by Mizoram. In contrast, the national average stands at 0.21 percent.
However, challenges such as alleged funding cuts, disruptions in HIV prevention services, and rising stigma threaten the progress achieved over the years. “The global fight against HIV and AIDS stands at a crossroads, but we must not retreat,” Dr. Theyo asserted.
This year’s theme aims to tackle ongoing barriers and promote a renewed strategy to eliminate HIV and AIDS by 2030. Dr. Theyo advocated for a human rights-centered approach that includes international collaboration, sustained political leadership, long-term financial support, and the empowerment of communities to lead the response. He stressed the importance of compassion over stigma, universal care access for the vulnerable, and unity among governments and communities.
Robin Kithan, General Secretary of the Dimapur Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (DNP+), described World AIDS Day not just as a commemoration, but as a call to bridge the gap between scientific innovations and social impacts. He pointed out that while treatment is available, it remains precariously inaccessible in low-income areas, risking years of advancements in combating HIV. Kithan emphasized that the fight requires a united front to ensure that treatments are accessible to all.
DNP+ President Moa characterized HIV as a manageable condition, contingent on consistent medication, provided one adheres to ART protocols. He advocated for the importance of ‘status’ disclosure as a courageous step necessary to access healthcare, underscoring that resilience can outlast discrimination.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/nagaland-hiv-demographic-shifting-from-high-risk-to-at-risk-population
Category: Nagaland
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Publish Date: 2025-12-01 23:16:00
