HIV spreading at alarming rate in Goa

[Guest guest]

HIV spreading at alarming rate in Goa: Health secy

NT Staff Reporter

Panaji, Jan 15: The rise of HIV infections among ante-natal mothers in Goa

indicates that the deadly virus is no longer restricted to high-risk groups of

people but is spreading among the general population of the state. This trend is

dangerous and shows that no one is immune from HIV anymore.

Words of alarm from the secretary health, Ms Debashree Mukherjee, who yesterday

flagged off a van to launch a mass awareness campaign about HIV/AIDS in the

rural and coastal villages of Goa.

Ms Mukherjee however said that Goa continues to be a moderately prevalent state

for HIV/AIDS and the state government aims to bring it down to the low-prevalent

state bracket within the next three years. Sources in Goa State Aids Control

Society said that the sentinel surveillance among ante-natal mothers in Goa for

2004 reveals an HIV infection percentage of 1.13. A percentage above one is

considered high-prevalence. But the figure for 2003 was only 0.34 per cent while

for 2002 was 1.3 per cent. It is because of this see-saw that Goa is

still considered moderately prevalent state for HIV/AIDS.

Talking about the campaign-van manned by members of an NGO, Ms Mukherjee said it

will spread awareness in the rural areas to dispel misconceptions about the

diseases.

" The government is co-ordinating with various NGOs, labour organisations and

schools to spread awareness everywhere, especially among adolescents to change

their behaviour practices to curb HIV, " Ms Mukherjee said.

But the total reported cases of HIV in Goa have risen to 7327 and the cumulative

death toll has climbed to 77 for the period beginning 1986 to November 2004,

according to GSACS records. In 2004 alone (till November), the virus contracted

892 persons in Goa. In 2003, 1016 people had tested positive in Goa.

The GSACS director, Dr P K Ghodge, pointed out that the above are only

" reported " cases and there are cases of HIV infection which are not

reported to authorities.

" There is no cure for HIV/AIDS and the treatment is very expensive. A good way

to curb HIV is through awareness. Our mobile awareness campaign will disseminate

information to the rural and touristic areas of Goa, " Dr Ghodge said. He

informed that the van and its staff will cover all coastal talukas like Bardez,

Salcete, Tiswadi and Mormugao.

Besides small posters, the open van carries a huge billboard listing the

government services and facilities for HIV/AIDS. In a prominent plug to the

AIDS-helpline, one poster screams: `To know more about HIV/AIDS dial toll free

1097 (AIDS Helpline) Help is just a call away.' Another poster declares: `For

safe sex, use condoms.'

Not only will its staff deliver talks on HIV/AIDS and related literature, they

will also distribute free condoms to people. Some of the services displayed are

voluntary and confidential counselling, testing centres at Goa Medical College

(GMC), Asilo and Hospicio, STD related services at STD clinics at Vasco, Margao,

Mapusa and the GMC, free drugs for treatment of opportunistic infections of HIV,

prevention of parent-to-child transmission of HIV infection

during pregnancy and other facilities.

The 15-day campaign is sponsored by the State Bank of India but is overseen by

the GSACS.

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