Amid a sharp spike in HIV/AIDS cases, Meghalaya Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said the state government is seriously considering making pre-marital HIV testing mandatory, with an aim to contain the fast-spreading epidemic in the region. Speaking at a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and attended by Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh and eight MLAs from East Khasi Hills, the minister revealed that Meghalaya currently ranks sixth nationally in HIV/AIDS prevalence. The northeastern states, she said, continue to bear a disproportionately high burden.
"If Goa has made testing compulsory, why shouldn’t Meghalaya have its own set of laws?" Lyngdoh asked, suggesting the step would benefit the larger community. She also confirmed that the Health Department has been directed to prepare a cabinet note outlining the proposal for mandatory pre-marital HIV testing.
The move comes as East Khasi Hills district reports a doubling of HIV cases — from previously recorded figures to 3,432 — while only 1,581 patients remain in treatment. Another 681 have failed to report for follow-ups, raising concern over the effectiveness of the state’s retention efforts in the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) program.
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"The most alarming numbers are actually from West and East Jaiñtia Hills. The virus is no longer just a threat — it’s a full-blown crisis," Lyngdoh warned. However, the government is avoiding disclosure of precise location-based data to prevent potential stigma and discrimination.
She emphasised that while public awareness has improved over the years, the core challenge remains in expanding HIV screening and ensuring that all who test positive are enrolled into treatment systems. According to Lyngdoh, 159 HIV-related deaths in the district have been attributed to patients dropping out of ART treatment.
“We must ensure that everyone who has been tested is brought into the treatment system. HIV/AIDS is not fatal if treated properly, just like cancer or TB,” she said.
The proposal to mandate pre-marital testing has already drawn attention, as it could conflict with international guidelines. Both UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO) advocate for voluntary, confidential HIV testing based on informed consent and oppose any form of compulsory testing.
Even so, the minister acknowledged that public reluctance to undergo testing remains a major obstacle. “There are likely many more in our communities who remain undiagnosed. That’s the scariest part,” Lyngdoh added.
With Meghalaya’s HIV/AIDS burden reaching what health officials describe as “critical levels,” the state is now working to develop a comprehensive policy in mission mode — one that aims to stem the tide of new infections while ensuring better patient retention and care.
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