Guwahati, Oct. 15 -- Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal has flagged an increase in HIV cases linked to injection drug use, calling for wider testing, stronger prevention measures and greater youth participation in the state's HIV programme.

Speaking at the Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala on Mobilization for AIDS Suraksha in Guwahati on October 14, Singhal said efforts were needed to identify people living with HIV who remained undiagnosed, particularly those engaging in high-risk behaviour, including unprotected sex and injection drug use.

He said the Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) was working to detect HIV cases and link patients to treatment but urged people at risk to come forward for testing.

The minister ...