Despite making progress in controlling HIV, Nagaland continues to grapple with the epidemic, as the adult prevalence rate remains significantly above the national average.
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Despite making progress in controlling HIV, Nagaland continues to grapple with the epidemic, as the adult prevalence rate remains significantly above the national average, underscoring the need for persistently fighting the spread of the disease by enhancing screening and strengthening treatment. As per data provided by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, a total of 127 persons tested positive for HIV out of 9,761 individuals screened between April and December 2025 in Nagaland, while the cumulative number of People Living with HIV&AIDS (PLHAs) stands at 30,640, out of which 16,190 patients are currently on active care. What is worth noting is the steady decline in the number of fresh cases over the past few years. The state recorded 1,096 new HIV cases in 2022-23, 1,008 in 2023-24, and 960 in 2024-25, as per information provided by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) in its report. These numbers, from 1,096 new infections during the 2022-23 fiscal year to 127 in 2025 (excluding records of three months – January to March – in 2026), indicate significant strides the state has made in the combat against the deadly disease. It is a result of aggressive awareness campaigns by the NSACS, NACP, government agencies and NGOs along with institutional support and growing community involvement. While the trend is encouraging, the fight is far from over, with the ultimate target being zero new infections.
Today, HIV is no longer a fatal illness but a manageable chronic condition, thanks to scientific advancements in treatment. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) enables patients to live healthy lives and prevents transmission. In Nagaland, studies have shown that the primary mode of transmission is unprotected sex, followed by the sharing of infected needles and syringes among drug users and mother-to-child transmission. Such information makes it easier for government agencies like NACP and NSACS to reach out to vulnerable and high-risk groups. However, stigma surrounding HIV, which is present in communities, workplaces, healthcare settings, and even one’s own homes, has proven counterproductive, thus contributing to underreporting, hesitancy in screening, and delays in treatment. This, in turn, increases the risk of transmission and fatalities. In short, the social stigma and discrimination associated with the infection seem to pose a greater challenge in combating it than the disease itself. And this is more profound in close-knit societies like Nagaland. To effectively break the cycle of HIV transmission, a multi-faceted approach is required: eliminating stigmatisation, tackling drug abuse, enhancing healthcare services, and empowering young people through education.