Over 10,000 people are currently being treated through this HIV but more than 10,000 already have the disease, which is the highest in India at present, Health Minister W. Shylla told the state Assembly on Wednesday. According to him, 10,293 people with HIV are currently taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the state.
In response to a question posed by the NPP legislator Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma, the minister told the legislator that the government has accepted a 25-crore five-year mission-mode intervention plan to counter what he called an alarming increase in the incidence of HIV/AIDS. The overall plan will be to empower testing infrastructure, increase manpower and access to treatment and awareness programmes.
As per the official statistics provided in the House, there have been 749 deaths with the complications of HIV in the last decade. The highest number of 435 deaths is recorded in East Khasi Hills district, and the same stands next to West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills. Lower numbers have been reported in other districts such as Ri Bhoi, West Khasi Hills and other regions of Garo Hills.
Shylla explained that there were not any direct deaths due to HIV/AIDS, but rather to opportunistic diseases that developed because of the immunity being weakened.
Upon the issue of increasing infections, the minister cited the key concerns as the existence of stringent confidentiality requirements of the HIV and AIDS Act and social stigma. He observed that testing of HIV involves consent and people cannot be forced to take treatment and this makes it difficult to detect HIV early.
Nevertheless, the health department is stepping up awareness campaigns that promote voluntary testing and the intake of treatment, the Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the state cabinet are supporting them.
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