Karnataka health department efforts for zero AIDS transmission by 2030: Dinesh Gundu Rao

'Karnataka is one of the states with high number of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) infected people, but the situation has not escalated because our health system is well-developed,' the minister said.

Mysuru: Karnataka State Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the health department is putting efforts to achieve zero AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) transmission by the year 2030.

During the World AIDS Day programme, held at the Platinum Jubilee Auditorium of the Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute (MMC & RI) on J K Grounds, in Mysuru, on Monday, the Minister said, "Karnataka is one of the states with high number of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) infected people, but the situation has not escalated because our health system is well-developed."

Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “Every year, the Health department celebrates World AIDS Day in a different district, to create public awareness about AIDS, to offer support to the victims, and to pay tributes to those who have died of AIDS. Over one lakh people succumbed to AIDS from 2004 to 2025 in India. Earlier, ignorance about AIDS caused significant problems in the society. Thus, the Health department has worked to provide hope to the HIV-affected individuals, by creating public awareness."

The minister stated that if proper treatment is taken after contracting AIDS, one can live like everyone else. “The government provides free psychological support, along with free treatment and medicine. The recent increase in patients being admitted from the male homosexual community is a cause for concern. They establish contact through various mobile apps and through friends in hostels. It is necessary to put greater effort to prevent this, because it is not illegal to be homosexual. The responsibility lies in controlling this only through awareness creation. Greater awareness must be raised on this matter with the cooperation of the government, parents, teachers, society, and the media,” he said.