Nearly 1,000 New Infections Annually... This Country Moves to Mandate Premarital HIV Testing

Estimated Total Infected Population Reaches 8,700 Statewide
Around 1,000 New Cases Reported Annually
Only Half of Patients Continue Treatment Consistently

Meghalaya, a state in northeastern India where many residents are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but have not received treatment?resulting in the continued spread of the infection?is considering making premarital HIV testing mandatory. Recently, Indian media outlets The Indian Express and The Hindu reported that the Meghalaya state government is discussing legislation in response to the increasing number of HIV-infected individuals and AIDS patients.

Many residents in Meghalaya, a state in northeastern India, are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but have not received treatment, leading to a continuous spread of the infection. Meghalaya is considering making premarital HIV testing mandatory. Pixabay.

On July 25, Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Meghalaya's Minister of Health and Family Welfare, raised this proposal during a state government meeting, citing recent prevalence statistics in the state. According to statistics from the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), as of 2021, the HIV prevalence rate among Meghalaya residents aged 15 to 49 was 0.42%, which is double the national average of 0.21%. In 2019 estimates, the prevalence was 0.76%, ranking third among all states after Mizoram (1.19%), but it has recently seen a slight decrease.

In Meghalaya, approximately 982 new HIV/AIDS cases are reported each year, and over the past 20 years, the number of infected individuals has increased by 221.1%. The total number of infected people in the state is estimated to be about 8,692. In the East Khasi Hills region, which has a population of about 940,000, 3,432 people have tested positive. The main issue is the continuity of treatment, as it is known that only about half of those infected continue to receive treatment. In fact, among those who tested positive in East Khasi Hills, only 1,581 are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), while 681 have discontinued treatment. As a result, at least 159 deaths have been reported.

Minister Lyngdoh pointed out, "HIV/AIDS is not fatal if treated consistently, but about 15-17% of patients have stopped taking their medication." She emphasized the need to identify the reasons for treatment discontinuation, as well as the importance of immediate and focused intervention, prevention and early detection, responsible treatment, and strengthened public education. She also identified sexual contact as the main route of HIV transmission in the state and announced plans to make premarital HIV testing mandatory.