Ludhiana: HIV+ve cases rise, more go for testing

January 28, 2011

Shivani Mehra, TNN, Jan 24, 2011, 10.26am IST

LUDHIANA: The industrial hub of north India has been witnessing an increase in

HIV positive cases. According to the data collected from Civil Hospital, 2010

saw more HIV positive cases than 2009. As many as 386 persons, including 294 men

and 92 women, had tested positive for HIV in 2010, whereas 228 persons,

including 188 men and 40 women, in 2009.

The number of positive cases is increasing every month, as in January 2009, it

was 13 and during the corresponding period in 2010, it was 20. Similarly, 16

persons had tested positive in December 2009 and 67 during the corresponding

period in 2010. Sources said, People from all walks of life come on their own

for blood tests. Some come after doctors ask them to.

Civil Hospital senior medical officer ( SMO) Ughar Singh Sooch told TOI that

most of the HIV positive persons were migrants, truck drivers, farmers and drug

users. We recommend every pregnant woman, tuberculosis patient and drug user

should undergo HIV tests, he added.

The number of HIV patients is rising every year with increase in the number of

migrants in the city, he said. A resident of Tajpur Road said, As my son, 10, is

suffering from tuberculosis and has also tested positive for HIV, I want my

daughters, too, should undergo HIV test. Though no doctor asked me and my wife

to get tested, we have come on our own to know our status.

Numbers Reflect Growing Trend

Month Tested in 2010 Positive cases

January 325 14 men, 6 women

February 503 21M, 13W

March 552 30M, 4W

April 526 25M, 9W

May 547 24 M, 11W

June 450 22M, 11W

July 517 23M, 7W

August 505 24M, 4W

Sept 353 21M, 3W

October 351 15M, 8W

Nov 404 17M, 7W

Dec 784 58M, 9W

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