North-eastern Mizoram’s Saitual, bordering Manipur, has become the only district in Mizoram to attain ‘Surakshit’ status under the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)’s Mobilisation AIDS Suraksha (MAS) campaign after achieving all three of the 95-95-95 HIV treatment and prevention targets.
Under the UNAIDS-linked 95-95-95 targets, 95% of all people estimated to be living with HIV should know their status, 95% of those diagnosed should receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on treatment should achieve viral load suppression.
The MAS campaign, launched in February, aims to break the chain of HIV transmission by achieving the 95-95-95 goals across the country.
According to the August report, Saitual achieved Surakshit status, becoming the first and only district in Mizoram to reach the milestone.
She stressed the need for continued large-scale testing to ensure people know their HIV status and urged those living with HIV to remain on ART regularly to sustain the district’s progress.
North-eastern Mizoram’s Saitual, bordering Manipur, has become the only district in Mizoram to attain ‘Surakshit’ status under the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)’s Mobilisation AIDS Suraksha (MAS) campaign after achieving all three of the 95-95-95 HIV treatment and prevention targets.
Under the UNAIDS-linked 95-95-95 targets, 95% of all people estimated to be living with HIV should know their status, 95% of those diagnosed should receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on treatment should achieve viral load suppression.
Districts under the MAS campaign are classified into four categories based on their performance: Sangharshee for those yet to achieve any of the three targets, Saksham for those meeting two, Surakshit for those achieving all three, and Surakshit+ for districts that also achieve zero mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
The MAS campaign, launched in February, aims to break the chain of HIV transmission by achieving the 95-95-95 goals across the country. District-level progress is reviewed regularly under the leadership of deputy commissioners. According to the August report, Saitual achieved Surakshit status, becoming the first and only district in Mizoram to reach the milestone.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Zothanpari Chhakchhuak credited the achievement to the support of Saitual Deputy Commissioner Srinivas Sadi and close cooperation from community leaders, NGOs and churches, particularly in promoting HIV testing and awareness campaigns. She stressed the need for continued large-scale testing to ensure people know their HIV status and urged those living with HIV to remain on ART regularly to sustain the district’s progress.
