Assam is highly vulnerable to the risk of new HIV infections

44% females & 4.4% children are HIV patients among the detected cases

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam is highly vulnerable to the risk of new HIV infections, as the State is the gateway to the other northeastern States. This has been stated by the Assistant Director of ASACS (Assam State AIDS — Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome — Control Society). Rajib Sarma while talking to The Sentinel here on Monday.

He, however, pointed out, "It is a positive indication that the estimated adult HIV prevalence rate of 0.09 per cent in Assam is lower than the national prevalence rate at 0.22 per cent."

Of the 21,223 HIV cases in Assam, as many as 44% are females and 4.4% are children, states data of ASACS. This latest information is for the period from 2002 to June 30, 2021.

Moreover, the AIDS-detection graph has moved upwards in the State also due to the large-scale detection of drug-related cases in the recent times, under the aegis of the Assam Police as part of the 'Mission Drugs Free Assam'.

The top three HIV-prevalence States of India are Mizoram (2.32%), Nagaland (1.45%), and Manipur (1.18%).

Sarma further said, "Of the 21,223 HIV cases detected in Assam, as many as 84% is due to unprotected sexual interaction and 3.28% are drug-related instances.

Presently, as many as 39 NGOs (non-government organisations) are working among the high-risk group population in the State. These high-risk groups have been identified as the female sexual workers, men having sex with men, injected drug users, transgenders, and the 'Bridge population (including among others the truckers and migrants.

For counselling and testing of the people included in such high-risk groups, there are 430 ICTCs (Integrated Counselling & Testing Centres) and 106 standalone ICTCs; two mobile-stand ICTCs; 256 integrated ICTC facilities; besides 66 ICTCs in the PPP mode.

For treatment of the identified HIV persons, there are seven anti-retroviral therapy centres in the six medical colleges and hospitals across the State.

Also Read: HIV cases up in jails, Assam State AIDS Control Society detected 20,085: Anurag Goel

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