Shillong, Aug 13: Meghalaya recorded 574 new HIV infections in the first quarter of 2026, including 16 pregnant women, prompting the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) to intensify awareness, testing and prevention efforts across the state.
The figures were released as MACS launched the Statewide Intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign 3.0 at Lady Keane College in Shillong on Wednesday, coinciding with International Youth Day.
According to MACS data, around 52 per cent of infections were attributed to casual sexual contact, while 32 per cent were linked to regular partners or spouses. Injecting drug use accounted for nine per cent, commercial sex exposure for four per cent and mother-to-child transmission for around 2.5 per cent.
Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, who launched the campaign, stressed the need to eliminate stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and encouraged greater testing and timely treatment.
Shylla said the government had approved a five-year plan to strengthen the state’s HIV/AIDS response and called for collective efforts involving government departments, educational institutions, communities, civil society organisations, healthcare workers, parents, teachers and young people.
The two-month campaign will focus on the four major routes of HIV transmission and plans to reach 126 villages, 3,000 schools and 85 colleges, besides conducting 15,000 door-to-door interactions. Public performances, flash mobs, health camps and QR codes providing information on HIV services will also be used.
MACS Project Director Dr K L Iawbor said misinformation and stigma remained major challenges and stressed the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
