AIDS In Armed Forces in India

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LOK SHABHA Statement by the Defence Minister

Some of the soldiers in the Armed Forces are suffering from AIDS. Total number of AIDS cases in three services as compiled for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 are as follows:-

Year

Army

Navy

Air Force

Total

2004

132

08

04

144

2005

67

06

03

76

2006

30

02

03

35

The Armed Forces have established 10 Immuno Deficiency Centres in selected Military Hospitals. These centres provide investigation, treatment and follow up all HIV positive persons in the Armed Forces under the supervision of a physician, dermatologist, pathologist and a public health specialist. The centres are equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities for detection and treatment of HIV/AIDS cases. In these centres anti-retroviral therapy is provided free to the patient till such time the individual is in service, after which these medicines are supplied through Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. Regular follow up of patients, there close relatives, alongwith education about the illness is also carried out.

This information was given by Defence Minister A K Antony in a written reply to Shri Rajnarayan Budholiya in Lok Sabha today.

Monday, April 28, 2008

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