Nagaland now ranks as the state with India’s second-highest adult HIV prevalence, reporting a rate of 1.37 per cent—far above the national average of 0.21 per cent—according to the India HIV Estimates 2023. The concerning numbers were underscored by Health & Family Welfare Commissioner and Secretary Anoop Khinchi, who also serves as Chairman of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), during the inauguration of the NSACS stall at Kisama as part of World AIDS Day observances.
Khinchi said Nagaland is accelerating its efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 and the global UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. As of October, the state had achieved 88 per cent diagnosis under the first 95, 79 per cent under the second 95 for treatment, and an impressive 98 per cent viral suppression for the third 95. He expressed optimism that Nagaland could reach the global benchmarks by 2026, but cautioned that the goal would require unified action from government agencies, community organisations, private institutions and faith-based groups.
Raising a red flag over changing infection patterns, Khinchi noted that HIV is no longer restricted to traditional high-risk groups, with infections increasingly spreading among the general population through unsafe behaviours. Calling for empathy and widespread awareness, he reminded citizens that “HIV does not discriminate, and neither should we,” urging people to prioritise testing, prevention and timely access to treatment.
Participants at the Kisama event took a pledge to promote responsible health choices and stand against stigma and discrimination. In Kohima, a state-level programme was held by NSACS in collaboration with NNagaDAO, NNP+ and development partners to mark World AIDS Day 2025 under the theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.”
Delivering the keynote address, NSACS Project Director Dr Ahu Sekhose highlighted notable improvements in Nagaland’s performance, revealing that the state has moved from 19th to 8th position in NACO’s national rankings. He said Nagaland is among six states on track to achieve the 95-95-95 targets, supported by strong results in 50 indicators and five-star certification awarded to 38 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres.
However, NNagaDAO president Abou Mere warned of an alarming rise in infections among young people and the spread of the epidemic across all districts. He also flagged “critical funding constraints” that have begun affecting key intervention programmes. Echoing these concerns, NNP+ president Lanu Aier urged the revival of the Legislators’ Forum on AIDS, which has remained defunct since 2020.
KPC president Alice Yhoshu emphasised the media’s critical responsibility in dispelling misinformation, while Global Naga Forum co-convenor Prof. Rosemary Dzuvichu drew attention to the everyday struggles faced by people living with HIV. She called on the government to strengthen nutrition support, employment schemes and skill-development initiatives for affected communities.
