Meghalaya govt to intensify HIV awareness campaign statewide
Shillong, Aug 11
Meghalaya is set to strengthen its fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections with the launch of the Intensified IEC Campaign 3.0, with a special focus on young people, early testing, treatment and reducing stigma surrounding the disease, officials said on Tuesday.
The two‑month statewide campaign will be launched on Wednesday, alongside International Youth Day programmes at Lady Keane College, with Health and Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla attending the event as the Chief Guest.
The campaign comes amid concerns over the continuing HIV burden in the state and the social barriers that often discourage people from undergoing testing or seeking treatment. According to data compiled by the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society in November 2025, more than 10,000 people, including nearly 500 children, had been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the state. A senior official stated that East Jaintia Hills has emerged as a major area of concern. National HIV estimates have also indicated that Meghalaya's adult HIV prevalence remains significantly above the national average.
The campaign will seek to take awareness activities beyond conventional messaging by reaching communities through educational institutions, villages and digital platforms. Its target groups include adolescents and young people, students, pregnant women, vulnerable communities, healthcare workers, government officials, community representatives, media professionals and social‑media influencers.
Authorities plan to organise rallies, roadshows, village meetings, awareness programmes in schools and colleges, screening and counselling camps and door‑to‑door outreach. Community radio, digital campaigns, folk performances and flash mobs will also be used to make HIV and STI‑related information more accessible, particularly among young people.
The campaign will address issues including HIV transmission and prevention, safer sexual practices, STI prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, and misconceptions surrounding HIV. It will also highlight the connection between substance use and HIV transmission.
A key component of the initiative will be efforts to tackle stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, which health authorities say remain major obstacles to timely testing and treatment. The campaign will promote the National AIDS Helpline 1097 and the online HIV Risk Assessment Tool to help people access information and services.
Meghalaya has previously adopted community‑based approaches to HIV awareness, particularly in Jaintia Hills, where youth‑focused campaigns have stressed testing, accurate information and compassion towards people living with HIV. Officials hope the latest statewide campaign will encourage more people to seek testing early and access treatment, while creating a more informed and supportive environment for those affected by HIV.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's good to see them using community radio, folk performances, and flash mobs. That's how you actually reach young people. But I hope they also focus on getting schools and colleges to have regular sexual health education. Awareness for two months is great, but this needs to be an ongoing conversation throughout the year.
The prevalence rate being above the national average is a serious red flag. I appreciate that they're being honest about it. My only concern is about the accessibility of testing centers, especially in rural areas of East Jaintia Hills. Awareness is lost if people can't easily get tested. I hope there are enough screening camps, not just in Shillong but in the villages.
The focus on substance use and HIV transmission is something we often don't highlight enough in these conversations. It's a very real connection, especially among the youth. I'm glad they are promoting the 1097 helpline. Sometimes just having a confidential number to call can make all the difference for someone who is scared.
I attended the International Youth Day event in Shillong today, and I must say, the energy from the students at Lady Keane College was amazing. They were so engaged. That's a positive sign. This generation wants to talk about these issues, they just need the right platform. The flash mob was great too! We need to break the silence, and this campaign feels like a step in the right direction. ✌️
Almost 500 children are HIV positive in the state. That's heartbreaking and something we need to address at the very root - preventing mother
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