Report on HIV Cases

• According to National AIDS Control Organisation report, New HIV infections have been reported in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram in 2017, in spite of an overall decline in HIV infection in the country.

Highlights:

• The report states that Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram have a high rate of annual new HIV infection trend states (between 2010-17) each reported an increase of 37, 10 and 18 per cent respectively. Women constituted a significant proportion both in terms of AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections.
• Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland were accounted as states with adult (15-49 years) HIV prevalence above the national average. Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland each reported 2.04, 1.43 and 1.15 per cent respectively.
• The increase is mostly attributed to the fact that more people are coming forward for screening and testing.
• Assam reported 1,387 new HIV infections in 2017 with a staggering 37 per cent increase, accounting for 41 per cent of new HIV infections among women.
• The state reported 266 AIDS-related deaths in 2017 which is a 26 per cent increase, with women accounting for 38 per cent.
• Assam is a gateway to the Northeast. It is a melting point of migrant labourers with truckers included. There is the factor of mobility where people go outside the state or within the districts or within the Northeast for work. People are vulnerable to sexual contact.
• Meghalaya state reported 191 new HIV infections in 2017 with a 10 per cent increase and 42 per cent new HIV infections among women. There were 23 AIDS-related deaths, registering a 41 per cent decline but accounting for a 30 per cent AIDS-related deaths among women.
• The HIV/AIDS scenario varies from place to place. For example, Jaintia Hills districts have slighter more HIV infections as compared to East Khasi Hills district. It could be so because of migrant flow or truckers.

About National AIDS Control Organization (NACO)

• It is a division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that provides leadership to HIV/AIDS control programme in India through 35 HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Societies.
• In 1986, following the detection of the first AIDS case in the country, the National AIDS Committee was constituted in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• As the epidemic spread, need was felt for a nationwide programme and an organization to steer the programme. In 1992 India’s first National AIDS Control Programme (1992-1999) was launched, and National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) was constituted to implement the programme.

By: Vishal