Telangana State has highest HIV prevalence

Hyderabad:  To mark the World AIDS Day on December 1, the Telangana State AIDS Control Society (TSACS) is organising a Red Ribbon Run at Necklace Road with an aim to create awareness on HIV and AIDS. The TSACS is also stressing on the need for citizens knowing their HIV status. Around 5,000 participants are expected in this event. The focus of the event will be on youth, general public and creating awareness on voluntary blood donation. 

Dr Shailendra Kumar Joshi, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, will be the Chief Guest, Principal Secretary, Medical, Health and Family Welfare, President, Governing Body, TSACS and other IAS and IPS Officers are expected to take part in the event. The Red Ribbon Run will be conducted in three categories 10K Run, 5K Run and 2K Run for men and women. Stalls displaying posters on AIDS awareness and showcasing various activities taken up by TSACS will be set up at the venue and inter personal communication sessions will be held in these stalls. 

According to the periodic HIV estimation - 2017, exercised by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and with the technical assistance of the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Medical Statistics (ICMR- NIMS), the overall average percentage of HIV prevalence in adult ages between 15 and 49 in Telangana State is greater than the overall percentage of India. As per the HIV estimation report 2017, while the overall averages of adult (15-49 years) HIV prevalence in India is 0.22, the HIV prevalence estimation percentages in Telangana is .70, Andhra Pradesh - .63, Karnataka - .47, Tamil Nadu - .22 and Kerala .08. 

Dr G Anna Prasanna Kumari, Additional Project Director, TSACS, said, “National AIDS & STD Control Programme’, a centrally assisted state plan scheme, is being implemented by TSACS through the 100 % government funds received from NACO, New Delhi for implementation of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support activities in the Telangana”. Prasanna Kumari said that in 2017-18, as many as 6,31,574 people were tested for HIV out of which 11,820 were found positive. However, the epidemic is not yet over, neither nationally nor in Telangana State. The newly formed State still faces a prolonged and severe HIV epidemic with the prevalence rate of 0.70 % which makes it highest prevalent State. 

BY Sheker Shivarathri