1,038 people die of AIDS since 1990 in Mizoram

Aizawl, Mar 23: Of the 4,57,678 blood samples tested in Mizoram, 9,894 people were found to be infected with HIV while 1,038 people have died due to AIDS since 1990 till date, state Health Minister Lal Thanzara informed the Assembly on Monday.

Replying to a question from Dr K Beichhua of the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), Lal Thanzara said that 7,188 HIV positives were now being treated in the state.

Mizoram is the second highest in HIV incidence in the country and the percentage of HIV positives compared to the population is 0.67, he said.

In a written reply to another query from Lalruatkima of the MNF, the health minister said that National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) released Rs 13.65 crore and Rs 17.60 crore during 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 respectively.

He admitted that the state government could not release the fund meant for combat of HIV/AIDS to the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) for two times during the current fiscal after the NACO changed the funding channel to the MSACS.

PTI