ec 02 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
87% unaware of HIV+ status, may be infecting others
Sushmi Dey
|
New Delhi:
|
15,000 Testing Centres Fail To Check Spread
As many as 87% of HIV+ people are not even aware that they are suffering from the infection and may be unknowingly spreading the virus, according to government data.Estimates by National Aids Control Organization (Naco), which works under the ministry of health and family welfare, show over 22 million people were tested during 2013-14, of which 2,40,234 people were found HIV positive.
This included over 12,000 pregnant women who were diagnosed with the virus.
“The low level of awareness among HIV positive population is of concern because research shows that early diagnosis is crucial. It allows patients to start on treatment sooner, which can greatly reduce the risk of spreading the infection to partners. Detecting the virus early also improves health outcomes for infected patients,” said Gerald Schochetman, senior director, Infectious Diseases and Diagnostic Research, Abbott.
Government officials as well as health experts say the risk is more among the vulnerable population that practises high-risk behaviour or have higher chances of HIV prevalence. This includes sex workers, trans-genders and even long-distance truckers.
Over the years, counselling and testing centres across the country have increased with many private laboratories now offering HIV detection tests apart from the government centres. In 1997, there were just 67 HIV testing and counselling sites in India, whereas Naco data shows there over 15,000 healthcare facilities offering counselling and testing across India in 2014.
“Counselling and testing services are important components of prevention and con trol of AIDS in the country ,“ said Anand Grover, founderpresident of Lawyers Collective. Grover said instead of cutting corners with the vulnerable population by criminalizing them, government should counsel and provide them with proper care so that they do not transmit the disease further.
For the full report, log on to http:www.timesofindia.com
This included over 12,000 pregnant women who were diagnosed with the virus.
“The low level of awareness among HIV positive population is of concern because research shows that early diagnosis is crucial. It allows patients to start on treatment sooner, which can greatly reduce the risk of spreading the infection to partners. Detecting the virus early also improves health outcomes for infected patients,” said Gerald Schochetman, senior director, Infectious Diseases and Diagnostic Research, Abbott.
Government officials as well as health experts say the risk is more among the vulnerable population that practises high-risk behaviour or have higher chances of HIV prevalence. This includes sex workers, trans-genders and even long-distance truckers.
Over the years, counselling and testing centres across the country have increased with many private laboratories now offering HIV detection tests apart from the government centres. In 1997, there were just 67 HIV testing and counselling sites in India, whereas Naco data shows there over 15,000 healthcare facilities offering counselling and testing across India in 2014.
“Counselling and testing services are important components of prevention and con trol of AIDS in the country ,“ said Anand Grover, founderpresident of Lawyers Collective. Grover said instead of cutting corners with the vulnerable population by criminalizing them, government should counsel and provide them with proper care so that they do not transmit the disease further.
For the full report, log on to http:www.timesofindia.com
