Sailo was saying this at a Governing Board meeting of MSACS at his office today attended by Health Secretary Esther Lalruatkimi, IRS, and MSACS Director Dr. Eric Zomawia besides representatives from YMA and Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP). The minister lauded the measures taken by MSACS in organising Red Ribbon Football Tournament and Red Ribbon Drama Competition to tackle the menace which is being plaguing lives of Mizo youths. Not only this, several NGOs and churches in Mizoram are also taking measures against the spread of HIV, the minister added.
Sailo also opined that in order to tackle this menace, there should be close collaboration between NGOs, government departments, churches and even media can play a great role in this regard. The meeting highlighted that as per Technical Report India, HIV Estimates-2012, NACO, HIV infection between age group 15-49 during 2011 was 0.74 percent in contrast to 0.79 per cent during 2007. The report also highlighted that the infection rate was 0.78, 0.76 per cent during 2009, 2010 which clearly shows that rate of HIV infection in Mizoram is on decline.
The meeting also accepted MSACS Action Plan for the period 2013-2014 which was approved by National AIDS Control Organization, Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. According to MSACS report during 2012-13 HIV test was conducted to 59088 (General 38560 and Pregnant Women 20528) of which 1142 (General 1022 and Pregnant Women 120) were tested positive. Till today, 6060 HIV patients have been given treatment from ART Centre. MSACS expressed happiness over churches and NGOs for their endeavour towards HIV patients.