Agartala: Tripura has earned national recognition for its HIV/AIDS-related initiatives, with the Union Health Ministry placing the state in the “green zone” in its latest performance assessment, Chief Minister Manik Saha has said.
Speaking at the state-level World AIDS Day programme at MBB Stadium on Monday, Saha said the central government and the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) had acknowledged Tripura’s “innovative and welfare-oriented” steps in tackling HIV.
“Tripura has secured a place in the green zone as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s newly introduced performance indicators. This recognition has come primarily because of our efforts to extend social security and raise awareness among people living with HIV/AIDS,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that the Centre appreciated Tripura’s decision to include HIV-positive persons under the state’s social pension scheme.
Saha said, “NACO has recognised our initiative to provide social pensions to HIV-infected patients as a significant welfare measure. It has also declared our ‘Bell of Awareness’ campaign—conducted in educational institutions to sensitise students about HIV/AIDS risks and prevention—as an innovative initiative.”
Sharing the current HIV status in the state, the Chief Minister said Tripura had recorded 6,417 HIV/AIDS cases till October 2025.
“If we intensify screening and testing, the number of detected cases will increase further. Of the total patients identified so far, 1,222 are male, and 5,189 are female. The remaining cases are among transgender persons,” he said.
Saha expressed concern over the age profile of the affected population and called for coordinated efforts from all stakeholders.
“Almost 83 per cent of the total patients are youngsters. This is alarming. Students, parents, and teachers must work together to fight this disease. Awareness, timely testing, and an end to stigma are crucial if we want to control the spread,” he said.
Reiterating the state government’s commitment to combating HIV, Saha said Tripura had aligned itself with the national resolve to end the epidemic.
“We aim to achieve zero new HIV cases by 2030. Our Prime Minister has also resolved to eradicate HIV from society, and Tripura is fully committed to contributing to that goal,” he added.
Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, the Project Director of the Tripura State AIDS Control Society, senior officials of the Health Department, and elected representatives were present at the programme, which also featured awareness activities and interactions with stakeholders working in the HIV/AIDS sector.