Even as number of new infections goes down, HIV remains a concern

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 03 Dec: Forty-five new cases of HIV infections were recorded in the state in the year 2012. Since the first HIV +ve case was confirmed in Sikkim in 1995 and the first AIDS case reported in 2007, the number of reported HIV infections in the state has gone up from 157 cases  in 2009,  230 cases in October last year to 275 cases this year. The data reflects the detections made at different Integrated Counseling & Testing Centers (ICTC).
These figures could just be the tip of the ice-berg since sentinel surveys [a detailed data collection effort] have not been conducted in the state since the surveys of 2008-09. The 45 new cases registered are those reported at the ICTCs.
AIDS, meanwhile, has claimed 46 lives till date and in 2012 alone, 6 people died of the disease. At present, there are 67 people living with AIDS in Sikkim.
The SSACS Project Director, Dr. Uttam Pradhan informs that majority of the HIV+ve cases that have been registered in the state come under the 20-29 year old group.  Out of 243 cases in the 20-49 age group registered with SSACS, 112 cases come under the 20-29 age bracket which is now considered a high risk group.
HIV has also reached the second generation in children born with the virus [pre-natal] with 9 children below 10 year of age having been born with HIV with a possible six more similar cases in the next age-group of 11 to 19.
“Free medication, regular counseling, love and support is what SSACS has been providing to these victims as per the guidelines of NACO. Fighting this disease needs an open society and creating an open society requires awareness and knowledge related to this disease. Overcoming stigma and getting these people to live complete lives after the disease is also what SSACS has been working upon with dedication,” stated the Project Director.
While stating that SSACS will be carrying out a new sentinel survey starting January next year, Dr. Pradhan informs that this sentinel survey will cover all the targeted areas and collect data from different areas of intervention carried out by the society.
“It is necessary that awareness goes hand-in-hand with the post treatment phase of the patients since the society has a major part to play if we want an HIV/AIDS free state. With aware citizens we will be able to fight this disease even better,” explained the Project Director.
In this regard, he also informed that SSACS will be launching a Multi Media Campaign from 07 December with the registration of the Red Ribbon Drama and Red Ribbon Unplugged contests. The competition phase of the campaign will begin from January next year.
The winners of the drama contest will be awarded Rs. 50,000 while the winner of the unplugged musical competition will have a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh.
“We have been concentrating on generating awareness at the village level now with the Red Ribbon Campaign being very enthusiastically participated by people from the districts. This year we are going to organize the finals of the drama competition at all the district headquarters, a final for each district. Auditions for the unplugged competition will also be held in all districts with an aim to bring out the best talents from the rural areas and also to generate awareness related to the disease during the same,” stated the Project Director.