204 Mizoram minors are HIV positive

The Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) said that out of 5439 HIV positives detected so far in the northeastern state, 204 were children.

The Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) said that out of 5439 HIV positives detected so far in the northeastern state, 204 were children.

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MSACS project director Eric Zomawia revealed this at a seminar titled ‘National Policy Framework of Children Affected by HIV’ organised in collaboration with UNICEF in Aizawl earlier this week.

Zomawia said: "Mizoram is one of the most sensitive states where cases of parents-to-children transmission of HIV are alarming. The infection rate among pregnant women is quite high.”

As a step to combat the menace, an antiretroviral therapy centre was established in Aizawl in February 2006. A centre each at Champhai and Lunglei was set up the following year.