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Mizoram

NITI Aayog Unveils 2023–24 Edition of North Eastern Region District SDG Index

/ Governance Community

NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDoNER) and technical partner UNDP, has released the second edition of the North Eastern Region (NER) District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index for 2023–24. This comprehensive report evaluates the progress of 121 districts across all eight northeastern states in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This updated index builds on the foundation set by the inaugural edition published in August 2021. It offers a data-centric approach to monitoring district-level performance across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The tool is intended to guide policymakers in implementing targeted, evidence-based interventions to drive sustainable growth. The report was officially launched by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery, CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, MoDoNER Secretary Chanchal Kumar, and UNDP India Resident Representative Dr. Angela Lusigi. Among the districts, Hnahthial in Mizoram ranked highest with a composite score of 81.43, while Longding in Arunachal Pradesh came in at the bottom with a score of 58.71. Notably, all districts in Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura qualified as “Front Runners” (with scores ranging from 65 to 99). No districts fell into the “Achiever” category (a perfect score of 100) or the “Aspirant” category (scores below 50). Sikkim stood out for its uniformity in development, with only a 5.5-point variation between its highest and lowest scoring districts—indicating balanced growth. Tripura also demonstrated stable intra-state performance. During the launch event, Vice Chairman Bery emphasized the strategic importance of achieving the SDGs by 2030 as a stepping stone toward India’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. CEO Subrahmanyam referred to the Northeast as the “Ashta Lakshmi” of India, underlining its developmental significance. MoDoNER Secretary Chanchal Kumar noted the index’s usefulness in identifying developmental shortfalls and guiding targeted action, while UNDP’s Dr. Lusigi underscored the urgency of converting data insights into tangible outcomes. The NER District SDG Index 2023–24 serves as a vital policy instrument for promoting inclusive, region-specific development. It empowers administrators and stakeholders to make informed decisions, allocate resources strategically, and accelerate sustainable progress in India’s northeastern frontier. Source: DD News

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HIV Cases in Mizoram Surge to 32,287 – Understanding the Crisis

/ Health & Wellness Community

Mizoram is witnessing a concerning surge in HIV cases, with 32,287 individuals testing positive and 5,511 reported deaths as of January 2025. The state now holds the highest HIV prevalence rate in India at 2.73%, far exceeding the national average of 0.2%. State Health Minister Lalrinpuii has urged lawmakers to take immediate action to combat the epidemic. During a meeting of the Mizoram Legislative Forum on AIDS, Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) Project Director Dr. Jane R. Ralte provided an update, revealing that 1,769 new cases were detected between April 2024 and January 2025. According to Dr. Ralte, 67% of infections are attributed to unprotected sexual activity, while 30.44% stem from the use of unsterilized syringes. However, a decline in new infections and HIV-related deaths has been observed due to increased testing and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). To support those affected, the state legislators have pledged Rs 50,000 each from their MLA funds for 2024-25, ensuring continuous ART treatment access through MSACS. Additionally, the Health Ministry has introduced HIV self-testing (HIVST) as a discreet, accessible testing method to combat stigma and improve early detection. HIV primarily spreads through unprotected sexual contact, sharing contaminated needles, blood transfusions, and from mother to child during pregnancy or breastfeeding. High-risk groups include individuals with multiple partners, intravenous drug users, sex workers, and healthcare workers exposed to infected blood. With strengthened policies, awareness programs, and self-testing initiatives, Mizoram aims to curb the HIV crisis and ensure better healthcare access for affected individuals. Source: Business Standard

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First case of Japanese encephalitis is reported in Mizoram

/ Health & Wellness Community

Japanese encephalitis (JE), a viral brain ailment spread by mosquito bites, was first diagnosed in Mizoram on Thursday. Dr. Pachuau Lalmalsawma, the state nodal officer for the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP), made the announcement in a statement. He stated that the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) had recently been notified by the state health department about the discovery of a suspected JE case at Trinity Hospital and requested a final decision as it would be the first JE case in the state. According to Pachuau’s statement, “after perusing the investigation reports of the suspected patient, the NCDC has confirmed the case.” Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a flavivirus that is spread by culex mosquitoes, which are also responsible for spreading dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses. JEV is the primary cause of viral encephalitis in several Asian countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), with an estimated 68 000 clinical cases each year. Even though cases of symptomatic Japanese encephalitis (JE) are uncommon, the case-fatality rate among those who have the illness can reach 30%. The safest approach to prevent getting sick is to avoid mosquito bites by using a mosquito net, insect repellent lotion, and insecticides like dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), as well as cleaning your surroundings to stop mosquito breeding, according to state health experts. Source: PTI

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