AIDS burden

ACHIEVING the global goal of ending the AIDS pandemic as a public health threat by 2030 requires a significant contribution from India, one of the worst-affected countries outside Africa. It is worrisome that the total number of HIV patients in India reached 16.89 lakh in 2023-24, an increase of 7.3% over the previous year. In Haryana’s case, the count of such patients under treatment has more than doubled in the past five years. States such as Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have also recorded an appreciable rise in the caseload from 2019-20 to 2023-24, while Chandigarh has witnessed a welcome decline.

It is apparent that the majority of the HIV-infected people are readily coming forward for treatment and the stigma associated with AIDS is becoming a thing of the past. India has done well to reduce AIDS-related deaths by around 80% since 2010. This is attributed to greater collaboration between the authorities and the community that has bolstered the ‘test and treat’ programme of the National AIDS Control Organisation. The availability of free lifelong treatment is a big plus. Annual new HIV cases have seen a 44% drop in more than a decade, but the absolute numbers remain on the higher side. Haryana and other underperforming states must get their act together.

Spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS holds the key to the success of preventive measures. Sustained interventions are needed to protect vulnerable groups such as sex workers, migrants, drug addicts, long-distance drivers and transgender people. Community-led organisations are in the best position to reach at-risk populations. There should be no dearth of resources at their disposal, while red tape must not be allowed to impede their efforts. World AIDS Day, observed on December 1, underlines the integral link between combating this pandemic and ensuring universal health coverage as well as the right to health. Equitable healthcare access can help in reducing India’s HIV burden.