However, a major concern was that the sexual route of transmission had gone upto 89 per cent, while infection through injecting drug users had dropped to 3.5 per cent.
The Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) has revealed that 3,933 HIV/AIDS cases have been reported from 1994 to June 2011 as per AIDS Case Surveillance report and ART report.
The study showed that out of the 3,933 cases, 2,141 were males and 1,792 females. It was also reported that 552 HIV/AIDS related deaths had occurred, while 2,595 were alive and under Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART). The total registered on ART is 7,463.
Informing this during a Consultative Meet of Executive Committee of the Legislators’ Forum on AIDS (LFA) with NSACS officials and NGOs yesterday, the Commissioner and Secretary Health and Family Welfare Menukhol John, who is also Chairman of NSACS, said the transmission of the disease at present was mainly through the sexual route.
He stated that the highest number of people affected by HIV/AIDS was between the ages of 25-49 years, adding that the age group was a concern as it was the most productive stage.
Highlighting HIV/AIDS programmes were being carried out in the state, Mr John said the state had adopted a four-pronged strategy as laid down in National AIDS Control Programme Phase III--prevention of high risk and low risk population, care, support and treatment to HIV/AIDS and HIV related diseases, strategic information management through monitoring and evaluation and capacity building.
The NSACS chairman further said that while implementing the works, various challenges were met such as frequent stock out of ARV drugs, frequent breakdown of power supply, financial constraints of people living with HIV/AIDS in accessing services, including investigation cost.