Tripura Flags IDU Threat at Regional HIV Workshop
Agartala Feb 27: Rising trend linked to injecting drug use in Tripura was emphasized in the three-day Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala under Mission AIDS Suraksha. The workshop concluded at Guwahati today intensifying district-level HIV response strategies in the Northeastern States of Nagaland and Tripura.
Discussions in the workshop flagged Injecting Drug Use (IDU) as a growing public health concern. The state currently has an adult HIV prevalence of 0.39 per cent. An estimated 11,000 people are living with HIV in Tripura, a PIB Press Release mentioned.
The three-day Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala reviewed district-level preparedness across the Northeast. In Tripura, seven districts were assessed. These are Dhalai, Gomati, Khowai, North Tripura, South Tripura, Unakoti and West Tripura. District-specific action plans were discussed to improve outcomes.
The final day of the workshop focused on 15 identified high-priority districts in Nagaland, which has an adult HIV prevalence of 1.37 per cent, with an estimated burden of approximately 24,000 people living with HIV.
The workshop stressed peer-led targeted interventions. It called for scaling up harm reduction services like Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST). Officials also highlighted the need for early HIV testing, quick linkage to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), and better treatment adherence to ensure viral suppression.
Addressing the concluding session, Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Additional Secretary and Director General of the National AIDS Control Organisation under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said India aims to end AIDS as a public health threat by December 1, 2027. He urged high-priority districts to align efforts with the 95-95-99 targets.
Dr. Nupur Debbarma, MD of NHM Tripura, also attended the workshop. She shared insights on addressing IDU-related vulnerabilities and strengthening service delivery in affected districts.
The three-day workshop reviewed 60 high-priority districts across the Northeastern region. Officials said time-bound and data-driven plans will now be rolled out to strengthen the fight against HIV.