Injectable drug users pushing up HIV rate

The HIV positivity rate has been rising over the last five years in Himachal. In 2021-22, 0.12 per cent were found HIV positive from amongst the 2,98,738 people screened; in 2025-26, 0.25 per cent have been found positive from amongst the 2,55,122 individuals screened so far. Apart from early detection through various campaigns and continuous outreach activities, the positivity rate is rising due to the increase in the number of the injectable drug users in the state.

“The number of injectable drug users is rising significantly in the borders districts of the state, and that is pushing up the numbers. The oral drug users at some point start using and sharing the syringes, which significantly raises the risk of the spread of the virus,” the official said.

The official further said that slight increase has been noticed among other vulnerable groups like female sex workers (FSW) and males having sex with males (MSM). “Unlike the injectable drug users, there are only a few hotspots where the problem has increased among FSW and MSM,” the officials said. Among other vulnerable sections including truckers and migrant workers, the numbers have stabilized. “Even among transgender, no spike has been noticed,” the official said.\

The official said several measures were being taken to curb the rising positivity rate, especially among the injectable drug users. “Two Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centres are already functioning in Una and Nurpur and seven more will be opened in medical colleges, Manali and Hamirpur,” the official said. “At these centres, the addicted persons are given alternative doses orally to wean them away from drugs,” the official said.

The Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV and Syphilis (EVTHS) campaign is also being run to prevent HIV and syphilis infection from a pregnant mother to her unborn child. If a pregnant woman has HIV or syphilis, the child can also become infected. “Under this campaign, all pregnant women will be tested for HIV and syphilis in the first trimester so that if a woman tests positive for HIV or syphilis, she can receive appropriate treatment and her unborn child can be protected from these infections,” the official said.

“Testing kits have been delivered to all primary health centres and health wellness centres.” Besides, the HIV positive patients are getting free of cost medicines from ART centres. “Other than that, we are raising awareness through ASHA workers and panchayats about HIV,” the official said.