World AIDS day: 56 per cent reduction in HIV cases over the last 6 years

December 1 is observed as World AIDS Day. The terms AIDS and HIV brings a lot of worries, but with improving standards of treatment, the intensity of the disease today has reduced to some extent. 

As per reports, over the last last 6 years, the percentage of HIV patients has decreased in Mumbai. It is said that between 2010-11 and 2016-17, HIV patients have declined by 56 per cent.

This is due to to the repeated public awareness and programs conducted by local associations, which eventually have brought a lot of positivity today on World AIDS Day.

What do the numbers say?

As per reports, in 2010-11, 14,291 patients were found to be suffering from HIV. Now, in 2016-17 the number has reduced to 6,718 patients. Only 3,870 HIV infected patients have been reported in October, as per the data provided by Dr. Shreekala Acharya, Additional District Collector of Mumbai District AIDS Control Society.

Pregnant women are less infected

Reports further also reveal that the ratio of pregnant women infected with HIV has also reduced than the last six years. A total of 466 pregnant patients were registered in 2010-11 and in 2016-17, only 162 pregnant women patients were registered. This infers that in last 6 years the percentage of pregnant women with HIV has decreased by around 65 per cent.

There are more male patients than women

Talking about the gender, 79 percent of men and 36 per cent of women have been infected with HIV. An insecure relationship has led to HIV in 93 per cent of people.  In 3.7 per cent cases, the child has been infected by the mother. Around 0.3 per cent of the infection is transmitted through toxic blood transfusion and 0.5 per cent of patients have been infected by those infected.

Very few patients infected with HIV have been found in the last 2 years. Public awareness and advertising helped in reducing the number. The number of deaths due to AIDS is also reduced,” said Dr. Shrikalacharya Acharya, Additional Project Director, Mumbai District AIDS Prevention Society.

For children who have been infected with HIV, a shelter room has been provided in the hill areas of Mumbai, where these children are screened or treated. The Shelter Home was inaugurated on Wednesday. Similarly, an ART centre was opened in the Kamtipura area on Thursday. To raise more awareness, free HIV investigation can be done in the World AIDS Day at One Rupee Clinic.”

On this day, let’s make it a point to educate people about this disease, for it is rightly said that ‘prevention is better than cure.’