HIV plummets in AP

Statistics from Andhra Pradesh, revealed on World AIDS Day on Monday, has divulged a positive development. About five years ago, for every 100 who were tested for HIV, three to four people tested positive. The number of HIV positive cases has plummeted by half for the same set of testers. This is despite the fact that more number of people are coming forward to get tested for HIV. Overall the prevalence of HIV in the State has fallen from 1.22 per cent to 0.77 per cent

In what can be termed a positive development on the occasion of World AIDS Day on Monday, the incidence of new HIV cases are coming down in Andhra Pradesh, especially in Visakhapatnam. Not only is the incidence declining among the high risk groups, its existence has been plummeting among the general population.

Confirming this, officials from the AP State AIDS Control Society (APSACS), Hyderabad, and District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU), said the incidence has declined not only among the vulnerable High Risk Groups (HRG), MSMs (homosexual males) and Injectible Drug Users (IDUs), but also among the general population, including pregnant women, who underwent tests for HIV.

Incidentally this year's National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) theme for World AIDS Day is 'Zindagi Zindabad' targeting zero stigma, zero new infections and zero AIDS deaths.

"Four to five years ago, out of 100 people who tested for HIV, three to four would test positive. But now only two are testing positive out of every 100 the tests in Visakhapatnam. Also, more and more people are coming for getting tested. Similarly, 0.2 per cent pregnant woman are now testing positive for HIV, which was around 0.7 per cent four to five years ago. This prevalence is more in urban areas than rural and agency areas," said Dr Ronanki Ramesh, additional district medical and health officer (ADMHO, AIDS and leprosy).

As for HRGs, new incidence of HIV has come down from 11 per cent to 7 per cent between 2008 and 2012, from 7 per cent to 3.75 per cent among the IDUs and a massive decline among MSMs — from 23 per cent to 10 per cent — all in the same time period.

“Overall, as per the latest statistics of undivided AP, the prevalence of HIV has fallen from 1.22 per cent to 0.77 per cent among the general population, which includes pregnant women as well,” said T Kailashditya, joint director of Targeted Intervention (TI), APSACS.

HIV+ children assured all support

Vasavya Mahila Mandali organised a get-together for 100 HIV positive girls at its premises on Monday to mark the World AIDS Day. Mayor Koneru Sridhar who attended the event had breakfast with the girls.

Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor exhorted them to excel in education, sports and extracurricular activities like normal children without any inhibitions.

“All of you should become successful in career and life and help the underprivileged children like you. The government will extend all necessary support to you in this regard,” he said.

Vasavya Mahila Mandali founder-president Chennupati Vidya said that HIV positive and orphan children should be provided special encouragement and opportunities to enable them to show their mettle.

“The laws meant for them should be implemented effectively to better safeguard their interests. They should be provided a chance to pursue higher education.

Rehabilitation centres should also be set up for them to ensure their welfare,” she said. The cultural programmes presented by the children to mark the occasion enthralled the gathering.