Vijayawada: 2 lakh patients take ART drugs in AP

Vijayawada: Twin Godavari districts, Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts have more HIV/AIDS prevalence rate compared to north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam and Rayalaseema districts.

Unsafe sex practices, homo-sexuality, sex workers and taking drugs are some of the prime reasons for the spread of HIV/AIDS in the State. In order to create awareness on the HIV/AIDS and to give support to the victims of HIV/AIDS, World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 around the world.

The State government is organising various programmes including conducting rallies and meetings on December 1 in the State to create awareness on HIV/AIDS. Nearly 2.7 lakh HIV/AIDS cases were registered in 2017 in the State. By October 2019, 2 lakh HIV/AIDS patients are taking ART drugs in the State. Drugs are distributed free of cost based on the health condition of the victim.

According to Andhra Pradesh Aids Control Society (APSACS), East Godavari, Guntur, West Godavari, Prakasam and Krishna have high percentage of positive cases. The percentage is calculated based on the samples collected from suspects. East Godavari district has 1.39 per cent positive cases among the tests conducted at ART centres.

Guntur has 1.19 positive cases, West Godavari 1.14 per cent, Prakasam district 1.10 percent and Krishna 1.05 per cent. North coastal districts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam have positive cases of only .40 per cent and .49 per cent among the suspects. Mostly suspected people are going to the Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) centres, government and private hospitals and labs for the tests.

The State and Central government agencies Andhra Pradesh State Aids Control Society (APSACS) and National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) are jointly working to check the HIV/ AIDS cases.

The government is distributing ART drugs to the HIV/AIDS patients at 40 ART centres and 150 link centres, said S Vasantha Kumari, additional project Director, APSACS. She said the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is gradually decreasing in the State due to increasing awareness on the disease and its implications. Vasantha Kumari said 1,934 HIV/AIDS testing centres are working in the state and people can visit any centre for the blood tests.

The government is distributing ART drugs, which costs Rs 2,000 to Rs 8,000 per month to improve the immune system and enhance lifespan. The State government is sanctioning a pension of Rs 2,250 to 32,000 HIV/AIDS victims in the State and has been planning to increase the amount.

The government is distributing drugs for three months for some victims because they are facing problems to visit the ART centres every month, Dr Usha Rani, Additional District Medical and Health officer said.

She said the campaign against HIV/AIDS was being held at the targeted places particularly in rural areas. Awareness campaigns were being conducted on HIV in educational institutions and most people particularly youth are aware of the impact of HIV.

On the other hand, the mindset of people was changing towards the HIV/AIDS patients and social stigma was gradually declining, said N Ram Mohan, Secretary of HELP, an NGO. He said HIV patients were living with confidence because of ART drugs being distributed free of cost by the government.