South Tripura first in state to win NACO 'Surakshit District' tag on HIV

South Tripura has become the first district in Tripura to be recognised as a "Surakshit District" under the National AIDS Control Organisation's (NACO) Mission AIDS Suraksha, Tripura Chronicle reported on Monday, November 2.

The recognition is given to districts that show progress in preventing HIV, finding and testing people at risk, and keeping people living with HIV on treatment.

What the recognition means

Officials said the status reflects work on HIV prevention, early detection, treatment services and community awareness, carried out jointly by government departments and civil society groups in the district.

It also marks progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. These aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to be on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on treatment to have the virus suppressed. The targets are part of the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Who was behind it

According to the report, South Tripura District Magistrate Muhammad Sajjad P led the administrative coordination, Chief Medical Officer Dr J M Das guided the health interventions, and District AIDS Control Officer Dr Manish Chowdhury oversaw implementation and monitoring. The Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS) provided technical support.

Officials credited staff of the National AIDS Control Programme, NGOs, health workers and the district administration for the result.

HIV in the Northeast

The Northeast has some of the highest HIV prevalence rates in India, with Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur among the most affected states, while Tripura and Meghalaya have seen rising numbers of new infections in recent years, often linked to injecting drug use. Health officials in the region have been pushing for wider testing, quicker linkage to treatment and awareness among young people.

Elsewhere in the region, Dibrugarh recently became the first district in Assam to earn the same NACO recognition.

What next

Officials said they hope the recognition will push other districts in Tripura to step up their HIV control work. South Tripura will continue to focus on awareness, prevention, easier access to treatment and support for people living with HIV.

Free and confidential HIV testing and counselling is available at Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres in government hospitals, and the national AIDS helpline is 1097.