On Monday at the MBB college playground in Agartala, Chief Minister Manik Saha urged a stronger push for HIV/AIDS screening and called for more educational outreach in schools and colleges. Speaking as the state’s Health and Family Welfare minister, he stressed that public awareness must grow and that security forces are maintaining a firm stance against drug use. According to statistics released in October 2025, Tripura has 6,417 people living with HIV—1,222 women, 5,189 men, and 6 transgender individuals—and the government will provide a monthly stipend of ₹2,000 to those affected. Saha also used the occasion of the State‑Level World AIDS Day celebrations to inaugurate new Cancer Care Centres in the North, Gomati, and Dhalai districts, noting that the WHO calendar marks about eight global days dedicated to HIV, including World AIDS Day. He reminded everyone that although there is no cure for HIV, modern medicine can lower the viral load and allow patients to lead normal lives, and praised the State AIDS Control Society for its outreach work that earned the state a national award. Saha cited a global prevalence of roughly 40 million infections, with India accounting for about 25.44 lakh, and urged the establishment of “Red Ribbon Clubs” in schools—an initiative that had previously been limited to colleges—to broaden awareness. Addressing the links between consumerism, stress, and youth drug addiction, he said law‑enforcement had recently destroyed a large quantity of drugs and emphasized counseling over mere arrests. He pointed out that 83 % of infected individuals are young people, 39 % of whom are girls. Saha advised teachers to monitor disruptive or absent students closely, contact parents when necessary, and conduct regular HIV screenings. He further urged educators to devote at least five minutes per class to the topic and called on clubs and community groups to increase their outreach. Saha noted that worldwide—and in India—a significant decline in HIV‑related deaths has been recorded. The program drew a distinguished audience, including MBB University Vice Chancellor Dr. Bibhas Deb, Health Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, West District Magistrate Vishal Kumar, Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak, Higher Education Director Animesh Debbarma, Education Director N. C. Sharma, Health Department Director Dr. Debashree Debbarma, and other officials.
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