Shillong, Oct. 11: A two-day review meeting of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) will begin here tomorrow where the northeastern states will collectively brainstorm and develop localised solutions to respond to HIV/AIDS.

The Department of AIDS Control of the Union health ministry in collaboration with FHI 360 and Meghalaya AIDS Control Society will be organising the meeting to review the implementation of NACP-IV Programme in the region.

NACP-IV aims to accelerate the process of epidemic reversal and further strengthen the epidemic response in India through a cautious and well-defined integration process over five-year - from 2012-2017.

Its objectives include reduction of new infections, provision of comprehensive care and support to all people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) and treatment services for all those who require it.

A note from the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society stated that the Northeast has continued to be a focus area for the Department of AIDS Control because of its "vulnerability and prevalence."

"In the region, HIV is driven by dual risk factors - unsafe sex and drug abuse using syringes. This poses a major challenge. The meeting is strategised to facilitate discussions about HIV in the Northeast, assess the NACP implementation by the states and collective brainstorming and development of appropriate and localised solutions for the response by the states to address the problem," it said.

The Meghalaya AIDS Control Society noted that among the northeastern states, Manipur has shown the highest estimated prevalence of adult HIV (1.22 per cent), followed by Mizoram (0.74 per cent) and Nagaland (0.73 per cent).

It noted that the states of the region have an estimated total of 63,049 HIV infections, the highest being in Manipur (25,369) and the lowest in Sikkim (593).

"The annual new infections in the northeastern states have increased from 5,549 in 2001 to 6,460 in 2011. This is contrary to the national trend where an overall decline of 57 per cent has been recorded in the same period," the note added.

The meeting will also hold a detailed discussion on "Project SUNRISE" being implemented by FHI 360.

N.S. Kang, additional secretary and director-general of the National AIDS Control Organisation, will chair the meeting and Meghalaya urban affairs minister Ampareen Lyngdoh will address the gathering.