Addressing rising HIV infections in Mizoram, Health Minister Lalrinpuii on International Condom Day called for urgent action, saying the situation is a “collective disgrace” for Mizo society and warning that 70% of the state’s HIV cases are sexually transmitted. Speaking at an event organised by the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society in partnership with AHF India Cares, the minister highlighted the event theme, “Just Use It,” as central to reversing the trend.
The minister cited national and state figures to underline the scale of the problem: India’s HIV prevalence stands at about 0.2%, while Mizoram’s prevalence is 2.74%, one of the highest among states. She said the spread in Mizoram is largely linked to infidelity, low awareness, and failure to adopt preventive measures, and added that these patterns run counter to the religious values of the community. Lalrinpuii urged young adults to exercise caution in relationships and to prioritise prevention.
On prevention, the minister referenced the World Health Organization, saying condoms remain the safest method to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. She appealed to people to discard misconceptions about condoms and adopt them as a standard protective measure, remarking, “While abstinence before marriage is ideal, those who are sexually active must protect themselves and their partners. Using a condom is a simple act that can save lives.”
As part of efforts to normalise condom use, the Love Brigade 2.0 campaign will deploy two‑wheeler taxi riders wearing special jackets stocked with free condoms so anyone can take one without embarrassment. V. Sam Prasad, Country Program Director of AHF India Cares, said the programme recognises that “HIV only spreads when prevention fails” and stressed, “No one should be forced into risky sex simply because they couldn’t get a condom.”
Health authorities in Mizoram say these steps are intended to break taboos, improve access to prevention, and make the messaging around condoms clear and practical in order to curb further spread of HIV.
Original Source: https://thecsrjournal.in/hiv-rate-mizoram-13-times-higher-than-national-average-govt-raises-concern/
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Publish Date: 2026-02-14 17:03:00
