By TC News Desk
Agartala, 25th March 2025: Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, who also serves as the Minister in charge of Health and Family Welfare, shed light on the state’s HIV prevalence and the extensive measures undertaken to combat the epidemic. In a detailed written reply during the third day of the state assembly’s budget session, CM Dr Saha shared the information in response to queries raised by Congress MLA Gopal Chandra Roy and CPIM MLA Nayan Sarkar.
According to the Sankalak Report 2024, published by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Tripura’s adult HIV prevalence stands at 0.33%, significantly higher than the national average of 0.22%. This places Tripura in the fifth position among the northeastern states in terms of HIV prevalence.
Between April 2024 and January 2025, the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (SACS) implemented a series of initiatives to raise awareness and combat the spread of HIV. District-level sensitization programs were conducted, engaging principals and heads of 220 schools in areas identified with injecting drug practices, with a focus on educating and preventing risky behaviors among students. From August to October 2024, an intensified IEC campaign reached 1,556,689 individuals, covering 663 villages, 401 schools, 36 colleges, and featuring 140 folk performances to disseminate comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Targeted sensitization programs were also organized for the corporators of the Agartala Municipal Council and Zilla Parishad members in West Tripura District, focusing on HIV/AIDS and injecting drug abuse. In January 2025, mass awareness messages regarding HIV/AIDS and drug abuse were displayed on 21 LED screens across the state, utilizing the infrastructure of the ICA Department. Additionally, an index testing campaign was undertaken to enhance HIV testing and identify hidden positive cases, in line with the first “95” target of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). Lastly, an integrated health campaign was launched in West Tripura District to test and identify cases of HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis among vulnerable groups.
To strengthen the state’s healthcare infrastructure and combat the epidemic, several measures were introduced. Three new Satellite Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centers became operational between September 2024 and January 2025 in Dhalai and South Districts. In the West District, 18 PHCs/CHCs/UPHCs were approved for conversion into OST centers under the Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OAAT) model from Punjab, with staff training already completed and implementation in progress. Additionally, a Multi-Stakeholder Consultation meeting was held in December 2024, bringing together state and district officials along with representatives from the Government of India, Punjab, Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram to address injecting drug use and HIV prevalence in Tripura.
The state has experienced a steady decline in the number of new HIV-positive cases over recent years, with 1,845 cases reported in 2022-23, 1,790 cases in 2023-24, and 1,185 cases up to January 2024-25.
These figures reflect the impact of sustained efforts to combat the epidemic.
Chief Minister Dr. Saha emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling the HIV epidemic through a multi-pronged approach, combining awareness, infrastructure development, and collaborative efforts. The initiatives underscore the state’s resolve to achieve the national and global targets for HIV prevention and control.
