Bihar: Alarming increase in HIV/AIDS cases

[Guest guest]

Alarming increase in HIV/AIDS cases in Bihar

Indo-Asian News Service Patna

Patna,

Bihar is showing an alarming increase in HIV/AIDS cases with migrant

labourers and truck drivers being the major vectors of the disease,

say health officials in Patna.

Health department sources said eight HIV positive cases were detected

in Patna this week during a test camp jointly organised by a state

government agency and an NGO. Most of those detected were truck

drivers.

A senior health official said there were 1,200 recorded HIV/AIDS

cases in Bihar till September last year, but the number jumped to

1,700 by early November and increased to 2,214 by December.

" By the end of May this year the total number of HIV/AIDS cases

crossed 2,500, " he said.

" In the last six months, a large number of new cases of HIV/AIDS have

come to light, which is alarming due to its fast rise, " he said.

" Most of those who have tested for HIV/AIDS are migrant labourers who

have returned from places like Delhi, Mumbai and Surat and towns in

Andhra Pradesh, " said another health official.

Some half a million people are estimated to migrate from the state

every year in search of jobs. Most of them are labourers in search of

seasonal jobs who return to the state for a brief while before

venturing out again.

Officials say the number of full blown AIDS cases in the state is

only 143. Till date only eight AIDS patients are said to have died in

the state.

Bihar lags behind states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil

Nadu in the number of HIV/AIDS cases.

Health officials say the large number of cases detected in the last

six months is a result of facilities provided to test such cases.

Now a dozen test centres and clinic to detect sexually transmitted

diseases are operating where one can go voluntarily for HIV/AIDS

tests free of cost. Besides, the government is also collecting

information from three private laboratories.

But some NGOs and medical practitioners feel the number of cases in

government records is unrealistic. A Muzaffarpur-based NGO said at

least 40 cases of HIV positive were detected by his organisation

every month. Similarly Patna-based Sen Diagnostic's chief Dilip Sen

said October last year to March this year, his centre tested 474

samples, of which 97 were found positive.

Last year Bihar became the first Indian state to order that all new

cases of HIV/AIDS be reported to the state government. Now all

doctors, private clinics and pathological laboratories have to inform

the government of any fresh cases.

While the number of HIV positive cases is increasing at a fast pace

in Bihar, the AIDS awareness drive launched by the state government

with the help of NGOs is yet to reach rural areas.

The National Human Rights Commission last year voiced concern over

reports that an AIDS-affected family had been ostracised. It also

asked government officials to reveal the true picture of AIDS.

The situation on the ground is quite alarming. An AIDS patient in

Narkatiaganj in east Champaran district killed himself, his wife and

his three children a few months ago due to the social stigma attached

to the disease.

In another case, the residents of Sahilarampur village in Muzaffarpur

district ostracised a family after three of its members died of AIDS

in 18 months.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_278469,000900030002.htm