Number of people undergoing HIV test rising in Goa

[Guest guest]

Number of people undergoing HIV test rising in Goa;

The Navhind Times, Goa . Friday, March 13, 2009

by SHWETA KAMAT

 

PANAJI- With HIV menace spreading its tentacles, the number of people undergoing

the HIV test is on the rise in the state.

 

According to the Goa State AIDS Control Society, 26,737 people underwent the HIV

test in 2008, while till January 2009 around 2,348 people have undertaken the

testing.

 

The test is generally done in three categories -- general population, pregnant

women and the people who donate blood, the Goa State AIDS Control Society

project director, Mr Pradeep Padwal told The Navhind Times.

 

As per the statistics, nearly 15,690 persons and 11,053 pregnant women underwent

the testing in 2008. HIV testing for pregnant women began in 2003 in Goa.

 

The number of people dying of AIDS is also on the rise in Goa. In 2001, nearly

15 people -- 11 male and four female -- died of AIDS. The number reached 115 in

2008, with 88 male and 27 female dying of the dreaded disease. And till January

2009, AIDS has claimed 13 people.

 

Mr Padwal said if a person is found with HIV positive then he or she can't be

called AIDS patient as confirmation of the diagnosis takes almost three to four

years.

 

The statistics show that HIV cases are mostly detected in the age groups of

25-34 and 35-49. The talukas like Salcete, Mormugao, Bardez and Tiswadi are on

top of the list as far as HIV cases are concerned.

 

HIV tests are done in integrated counselling and testing centres.

 

The government has set up eight ICTCs across the state  five centres are in

Pernem, Panaji, Curchorem, Canacona and Valpoi and three centres are in Apollo

Hospital, Vrundavan Hospital and Campal Clinic. The last three have been set up

through public-private partnership model.

 

People who go for the HIV test are counseled before they undergo it and after

the testing so as to prepare them mentally to face up to the test and its

results, Mr Padwal informed.

 

If a person is detected with HIV positive then he is referred to the Retro Viral

Therapy Centre, where treatment is given for HIV+ along with clinical

assessment.

____________________________________

 

Here we would like to share more in addition to this.  There was also very

recent news like this from Goa Number of women with AIDS rising in Goa, Death

among PLHAs on Rise in Goa.

 

Consequently the fact is, death of PLHAs areexceptionally high as our practical

field experiences says, and majority of the PLHAs deaths are not reported due to

the various reasons or lost of proper follow up etc. However, the PLHAs in Goa

have little or no access to treatment, care and support because of lack of

resources and the stigma they face.

 

˜Seeing is Believing initially person tested positive for HIV, needed more than

treatment, a company of other PLHA’s, Psychological, Social, Mental and

Physical support with all appropriate and right information life after infection

that he can accept, adapt, learn and develop to put into practise etc.

 

Moreover, the HIV testing has been increased from last one year as a result of

good strategic intervention and quality program of PLHAs organisation like ours,

NGO’s, Individuals and Government working hard to end HIV/AIDS epidemic in

Goa.

Therefore, we need to act now on the situation of PLHAs death rise in Goa and

its challenges. We appeal all agencies to come forward for further action and to

provide resources to scale up and strengthen treatment, care & support  for

PLHAs and affected in Goa through collobaration building a partnership.

 

With best regards

 

Jaffer Inamdar

President of Positive Lives Foundation (PLF-INDIA)

Flat No: G-4, Ground Floor, Victor Apartments, 

Behind Senior Translines, Vasco-Margao NH-17,

Cuzira, St. Cruz, Ilhas, Tiswadi,

Panaji, Goa - 403507, India

Off. Tel: +91 - 832 – 2446103

Mobile: +91-9765328986 / 9371186773

Skype id: jinamdar

Email: plf@... / plfgoa@...