515 HIV+ cases a month reported in state since 2016; 7,623 deaths in 10 yrs

PATIALA: Despite the tall claims made by the state government about curtailing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive cases by organising awareness campaigns and drives, the health department has recorded around 515 HIV positive cases per month in the past three years.

The figures are based on data collected by the Punjab State AIDS Control Society from government hospitals across state, under the National AIDS Control programme.

As per reports, as many as 17,036 HIV positive cases have been detected at 623 integrated counselling and testing centres (ICTCs) across state, from 2016 till September this year. In 2016, 5,987 persons were found to be HIV positive, the figure rose to 6,730 in 2017. This year, till September, 4,319 persons were found to be HIV positive.

The number of HIV positive cases among pregnant women also increased. As many as 307 cases were detected in 2016; 343 in 2017, and 164 by September this year.

“The screening process has improved in the past few years, which has resulted in higher detections, Another major reason for the rise in number of HIV positive cases is drug abuse,”

said B Srinivasan, project director, Punjab State AIDS Control Society.

“Over 623 ICTCs are functioning across state to help in HIV screening. We are conducting awareness campaigns and emphasis is being laid on voluntary awareness at far flung areas,” Srinivasan added.

As per records, health officials had screened 10.1 lakh people in 2017, 8.6 lakh people in 2016, and 5.79 lakh people by September this year. “Since 1993, a total of 68,024 people have been detected HIV positive in Punjab. As many as 7,623 HIV-related deaths have been recorded in the state since 2008,” officials said.

‘STATE WILL HAVE NO MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSIONS BY 2020’

The health department organised a district-level function under the theme ‘Know Your Status’ at Mata Sahib Kaur Khalsa Girls College of Education in Patiala on Saturday, to mark World AIDS Day.

Speaking on the occasion, civil surgeon Dr Manjeet Singh said that the state will have no mother-to-child HIV transmission cases by the year 2020. He stressed on the social aspect of AIDS. “HIV is a virus that targets and alters the immune system, increasing the risk and impact of other infections and diseases,” he said.