Study shows increase in HIV in Mizoram

While the region?s proximity with Myanmar, a major producer of heroin, has been blamed for the rise, not much has so far been done to contain the menace.

HIV infection has acquired new proportions in the state of Mizoram with some 1,087 out of a survey of 19,763 people screened for the virus testing positive.

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Expressing concern Dr Chawnglungmuana, a resource person in the intensive programme being conducted in the state said that it was time that the issue of HIV infection was included in school textbooks.

According to C. Lalrokhuma, president of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), a social organisation, the increase in the number of intravenous drug users was a cause for serious worry in the state.

The MZP would also conduct a widespread campaign on drug awareness, he said.

After Manipur and Nagaland, Mizoram has seen an alarming increase in the number of HIV infected persons. While the region’s proximity with Myanmar, a major producer of heroin, has been blamed for the phenomenon, not much has so far been done to contain the menace.

According to various reports, a large part of the chemicals required for the production of heroin finds its way to Myanmar from India through a well laid out network of smugglers.