Nagaland registered a total of 23,163 HIV/AIDS cases, of which 1,521 have died, from 1999 to March this year.
This was stated by ARK Foundation president Ketho Angami in Kohima on Sunday.
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He was speaking at a function organized jointly by NNP+, KNP+, Family Planning Association of India (Nagaland branch), Kripa Foundation, NUN, Kohima Users Network and ARK Foundation at RHFPC Satellite Centre in Kohima on the occasion of 35th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service.
Deliberating on the theme, ‘Reflecting on our past, preparing for our future’, Ketho expressed serious concern over the ever-increasing number of new HIV cases.
He also stressed on the need to revamp the approach strategy.
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According to him, 16,983 persons had registered for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) till March 2018, of which 11,444 have been put on ART.
He also revealed there were 7,290 persons on ART who needed regular medication and monitoring test.
He also revealed that Tuberculosis is the most common infection found among HIV patients.
According to him, the real killer is TB rather than HIV itself.
“So to win the battle against HIV & AIDS, we have to have a concrete strategy to eradicate TB, he asserted.
Ketho was of the view that a similar approach has to be formulated with the Health Department for viral hepatitis for treatment of HIV.
Urging NSACS and LFA to be more pro-active, Ketho also asked the policy makers to re-commit themselves to prevent further AIDS-related deaths in the State.
The programme was marked by lighting of candles and observing a one-minute silence for the departed souls.