Health Minister Pi Lalrinpuii Meets Key Global Health Representatives in Geneva

Focus on Strengthening Healthcare and HIV/AIDS Programs in Mizoram

Geneva, Oct 2025: Mizoram Health & Family Welfare Minister Nimin Khan Pi Lalrinpuii held a series of meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of her official visit for the 2025–2026 term. She met Ms. Marie Elisabeth, Humanitarian Representative to the United Nations in Geneva from Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières – MSF), to discuss ways to enhance healthcare collaboration in Mizoram.

During the meeting, it was noted that MSF has been implementing various health projects in Lawngtlai and Champhai districts, particularly focusing on providing medical assistance to border populations. The Minister was briefed on MSF’s ongoing health initiatives in Zokhawthar, where intensive efforts are being made to improve healthcare facilities for local communities.

Minister Lalrinpuii appreciated MSF’s contributions and invited the organization to expand cooperation with the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), particularly in strengthening HIV/AIDS prevention programs and improving care for affected individuals. She also highlighted that Mizoram records one of the highest incidences of cancer in India and urged MSF to support research and intervention initiatives addressing this concern.

The MSF representative shared that the organization had successfully implemented the CAB-LA (Cabotegravir Long-Acting) program in Africa to prevent HIV transmission and expressed readiness to explore similar efforts in India. She assured that MSF would continue to collaborate closely with the Mizoram government, acknowledging the strong support it has received for its ongoing projects.

Later, Minister Lalrinpuii visited the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Geneva, where she met with Consultant Ms. Soma. During their discussion, she pointed out that Mizoram, being located in India’s northeastern border region, still faces challenges in ensuring adequate healthcare for women and children. She appreciated WHO’s ongoing support in immunization drives, maternal and child health, and public health awareness, and requested for expanded technical and capacity-building assistance to further strengthen the state’s healthcare system.

The Minister also held a meeting with representatives of the International Red Cross Society (ICRC). She emphasized that Mizoram’s remote geographical location and proximity to international borders make healthcare access particularly difficult for minority and border communities. She urged the Red Cross to support humanitarian and health outreach initiatives in these vulnerable areas.

The ICRC officials assured that they would carefully consider the Minister’s proposals and expressed commitment to exploring collaborative programs to enhance healthcare services and humanitarian assistance in Mizoram.