Shillong: HIV prevalence in Meghalaya has shown an increase of 0.73 per cent, from 0.16 per cent in 2015, according to the HIV Sentinel Surveillance, 2017.

An official from the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) said here on Friday that that the cumulative anti-retroviral therapy (ART) data in October showed that the number of people in the state registered with HIV Care is 2,988 with 2,842 adults and 146 children.

The number of people ever started with anti-retroviral therapy is 2,261, with 2,136 adults and 125 children. The data shows that the number of people in active care are 1,834, with 1,726 adults and 108 children. The number of people alive and on anti-retroviral therapy is 1,667 with 1,567 adults and 100 children. "HIV cases in the state are on the rise," the official said, on the sidelines of the World AIDS Day function here.

A representative of the Meghalaya State Network of Positive People said the only way to address the issue was to bring about a change in peoples' attitude. "Most of the people living with the virus are afraid to come forward fearing they would be rejected. This celebration sends a message that they should not live in fear," she said.

She urged all the people with HIV/AIDS to get rid of "self-stigma" and rued that most of those affected do not access the anti-retroviral therapy though it is available free of cost.

"In 2007, people living with HIV/AIDS registered with the network were around 15-20, but in October the number has increased to 1,500."