Nagaland has recorded a 39.97% reduction in new HIV infections and an 80.21% decline in AIDS-related deaths since 2010, Health & Family Welfare Minister P Paiwang Konyak said on Wednesday.
The Minister was speaking at the launch of the third round of the Intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) at Agri Expo, 4th Mile, Chümoukedima.
The campaign, organised by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) under the aegis of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), aims to strengthen awareness on HIV and STIs, promote prevention and early testing, address stigma and discrimination, and improve access to health services across the state.
Referring to the NACO HIV Estimation 2025, Paiwang said HIV prevalence varied across districts, requiring responses suited to local conditions. He said the progress recorded in the state demonstrated the impact of sustained prevention, early diagnosis and uninterrupted treatment.
The Minister said the first two rounds of the campaign had reached more than 1,300 village meetings, over 1,000 schools and 200 colleges, besides more than 7,600 door-to-door awareness drives and direct engagement with over two lakh citizens.
He said the success of the third round should not be measured only by the number of activities conducted, but by the number of people reached, those coming forward for testing and treatment, and progress in reducing stigma and discrimination.
Paiwang also stressed the need to strengthen efforts towards the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B, saying every pregnant woman should have access to testing and timely intervention.
He urged young people to seek accurate information, understand their risks, know their HIV status and make informed choices. He also called on district administrations, healthcare workers, community leaders, churches, educational institutions, civil society organisations and NGOs to take greater ownership of HIV prevention efforts.
Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, S. Tainiu, said the third round of the campaign would focus on increasing awareness on HIV and STIs, promoting safer practices, reducing stigma and discrimination, encouraging testing, counselling and early treatment, and reaching youth and vulnerable populations.
She stressed the need to take awareness activities and services to far-flung and remote areas where difficult terrain and limited connectivity can make access to healthcare challenging.
Following the launch, Paiwang flagged off the Intensified IEC Campaign 2026 Bike Rally, with 25 bikers carrying messages of HIV and STI awareness, prevention and solidarity.
Five new “Health on Bike” outreach motorbikes were also flagged off for Niuland, Tseminyu, Tuensang, Longchem in Mokokchung and Tobu in Mon districts.
Under the initiative, “Health on Bike – Reaching the Unreached”, the motorbikes will take HIV prevention, testing and related services closer to communities where difficult terrain and limited connectivity can restrict access to routine services.
The program was attended by senior government and health officials, district administration representatives, District Health Programme Officers, NGOs, teachers, students and community leaders.