Nagaland today joined in holding 32nd International AIDS Candlelight Memorial under the theme "Supporting the future".
Since 1999 upto March this year, a total of 7,54,787 people in Nagaland have come forward to test for HIV, out of which a total of 18,096 were tested positive, Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare, P Longon said during the main function held in the State Capital this evening.
International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is observed every third Sunday of May in remembrance of those who have lost their lives to HIV and AIDS.
"It is a day to renew our commitment towards the goal of "Zero new infection, Zero discrimination and HIV related deaths" and to work towards a sustainable AIDS response," he said.
Maintaining that during the past decade in the state, the adult HIV prevalence rate has come down from 1.83 per cent to 0.73 per cent, Longon however said "we cannot and should not remain complacent in this achievement.
"We must continue working towards our commitment of "Getting to Zero and in achieving Zero new infections, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS related deaths," he said.
