look news india
New Delhi: After Goa, now the Meghalaya government is also considering making HIV/AIDS (HIV/AIDS) investigation mandatory before marriage. Giving information about this, Emperin Lyngdoh, the state health minister, said that steps are being taken in this direction in view of the increasing cases in the state.
According to the minister, if Goa has already made the HIV investigation mandatory, then why should Meghalaya not make its laws? This will benefit the large community. HIV/AIDS cases in Meghalaya are at the national level at the sixth position, and in the Northeast region, the disease burden is high.
The Health Minister expressed concern that 3,432 cases of HIV/AIDS have been reported in East Khasi Hills district alone, out of which only 1,581 patients are taking treatment. He said that the main cause of this infection in the state is unprotected sex.
To deal with this problem, a high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Preston Tinsong, in which Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh and eight MLAs from East Khasi Hills district also participated. The meeting discussed a comprehensive policy on HIV/AIDS and the Health Department has been instructed to prepare a cabinet note in this regard. Additionally, similar meetings will be held in Garo Hills and Jantia Hills areas so that area-specific strategies can be made.
The proposal came at a time when many experts have expressed concern over the moral and legal aspects of compulsory tests, but the government believes that it will help improve public health and make informed decisions regarding marriage.