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In Meghalaya, where the prevalence of HIV surpasses the national average, a proactive effort is underway with all 60 state MLAs actively engaging to combat this disease by fostering awareness among the populace.
The inaugural gathering of the restructured Meghalaya Legislators’ Forum on HIV/AIDS convened recently, chaired by Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma.
During the meeting, six key agendas concerning People Living with HIV (PLHIV) took center stage, covering healthcare access, social support initiatives, employment avenues, educational outreach, nutritional aid, and legal assistance.
Addressing the media post-meeting, Speaker Sangma emphasized the forum’s commitment to combating HIV/AIDS through heightened community awareness. He highlighted that the meeting’s focus extended beyond healthcare, encompassing social, economic, and stigma-related challenges faced by PLHIV, aiming to integrate them into mainstream society with legislative support.
Acknowledging the higher HIV prevalence in Meghalaya compared to the national average, Sangma reiterated the government’s mission-oriented approach to curb the disease’s spread, as emphasized by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma during the meeting. The CM stressed the need to streamline existing governmental programs, ensuring their synergy without redundancy, while the Legislators Forum aims for a distinct approach complementing the efforts of the AIDS Control Society and the state government.
Opposition leader Ronnie V. Lyngdoh highlighted the Forum’s potential to combat social stigma by leveraging awareness initiatives. Drawing inspiration from the Philippines, where NGO involvement reduced HIV/AIDS incidents, Lyngdoh proposed engaging local organizations like Seng Samla, Seng Longkmie, and the Dorbar Shnong to spread awareness and eliminate prejudice against PLHIV in Meghalaya.
Expressing urgency, Lyngdoh emphasized the need for a targeted, mission-oriented strategy to arrest the rising trend of HIV infections in the state, echoing the imperative laid out by the Chief Minister.
