Shillong: Meghalaya continues to face challenges associated to HIV transmission, stigma, misconceptions, and delayed uptake of HIV testing and remedy providers, prompting govt to launch an intensified IEC marketing campaign in 2026.The marketing campaign will likely be formally launched by state well being and household welfare minister Wailadmiki Shylla at Girl Keane School, Shillong, on Worldwide Youth Day on Wednesday. It goals to construct large public consciousness by delivering constant, culturally applicable, and evidence-based data by group engagement, mass media, digital platforms, and interpersonal communication.In keeping with Meghalaya AIDS Management Society statistics shared in November 2025, greater than 10,000 individuals, together with almost 500 kids, have been recognized with HIV/AIDS within the state.The India HIV Estimation 2025 report projected Meghalaya’s grownup HIV prevalence at round 0.40% in 2024, almost double the nationwide common of round 0.20%. East Jaintia Hills was recognized as a essential precedence district, with an estimated grownup prevalence of about 2.388% and round 2,311 individuals residing with HIV.In February, the Union well being ministry recognized East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, and West Jaintia Hills as high-priority districts below its Mission AIDS Suraksha drive to strengthen efforts towards HIV transmission.Goal teams for the state-level marketing campaign embrace adolescents and youth, college and school college students, pregnant girls, weak populations, healthcare suppliers, group representatives, govt officers, media professionals, and social media influencers.“The target of Intensified IEC Marketing campaign 3.0 is to handle HIV transmission and prevention, myths and misconceptions, the significance of early testing and remedy, safer sexual behaviour, STI prevention, the hyperlink between substance use and HIV, and the necessity to finish stigma and discrimination. It’ll additionally promote the Nationwide AIDS Helpline 1097 and the web HIV Danger Evaluation Software,” an official mentioned.
