Decrease in HIV infected cases in Ch'nagar

Health round-up

According to sources, various innovative programmes organised by District Health and Family Welfare Department such as including folk troupes to improve awareness among people is one of the reasons for the decreasing levels of HIV infected persons.

Statistics issued by the District Aids Control and Prevention Cell point out that in 2008-09, of the 9,477 persons who were tested for HIV, 511 cases were detected.

Among the 9,193 pregnant women, 45 were detected with HIV.

Similarly, in 2009-10, of the 17,316 who underwent tests, 585 were infected and among 11,655 pregnant women, 34 were infected with HIV. In 2010-11, 429 were found infected among the 13,547 who underwent tests.

Twenty two pregnant women were found to be infected among 10,646. Compared to the last two years, the number of people infected by HIV have reduced. While an ART centre was opened in 2009, additional ART centres was opened at Kollegal Public Hospital and Gundlupet Public Hospital in 2010-11. HIV tests are being conducted in the 15 counselling and diagnostic centres in the district.

Four tests are conducted for children of HIV infected women for six to eight months. These tests are also conducted in Chamarajanagar District Hospital, Kuderu Primary Health Centre and Gundlupet Public Hospital. 

Free treatment, food and accommodation is provided to infected persons at Chamarajanagar’s Ramasamudra Community Health Centre.

District AIDS Control Officer Dr N Mahadev said, “The number of HIV infected persons is decreasing in the district. Every Saturday counsellors will visit villages and inform villagers about the reasons due to which HIV spreads among people.”

Girijans were informed about HIV by folk troupes. ICTC units will be opened and then tests will be held in villages, he added.

IDPMS Self Help Group Programme Manager Chandrashekar Patil said that the 970 homosexuals and sex workers had registered with the group.

Diagnosis and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) is also provided, he said.

HIV infected

* 2008-09: 511.
* 2008-09: 585.
* 2010-11: 429.

Pregnant women infected
* 2008-09: 45
* 2009-10: 34
* 2010-11: 22