Tripura HC seeks report from state govt on rising HIV, AIDS cases; asks for details of initiatives

Tripura registers around 1,500 new cases of HIV/AIDS annually as per latest reports of the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS).

Written by Debraj Deb

Agartala | Updated: July 25, 2024 09:30 PM IST

2 min read

A TSACS report found that 87 per cent of the injected drug users in Tripura are aged 16-30. (Representational Image/Express Archives)

With a rise in the number of HIV-positive and AIDS cases in the state, the Tripura High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the state government seeking a report on the initiatives taken in this regard.

The High Court registered a suo moto case based on the letter of the executive chairman of Legal Services Authority justice T Amarnath Goud written to Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh where he mentioned about a hike in the HIV/AIDS cases and deaths among students at an alarming rate in the state. Goud attached figures of district-wise HIV cases to the letter. The notice was issued to the secretaries of the Education and Health departments, Government of India.

Also Read | ‘State clocks 1,500 new cases of HIV and AIDS every year’: Tripura State AIDS Control Society chief

“The case was heard in the Division Bench of honourable Chief Justice and Justice Arindam Lodh. They have taken cognizance of the matter and have fixed a date for submitting a report. A short date has been given as it is a burning issue and requires attention of the state and stakeholders. So, an urgent report has been sought by the court,” government counsel Kohinoor Narayan Bhattacharya said.

“A report needs to be submitted within two weeks, mentioning initiatives taken by the state government and what other steps can be taken. All these will be discussed then,” said Bhattacharya.

Tripura registers around 1,500 new cases of HIV/AIDS annually as per latest reports of the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS). The first case of an HIV positive patient in Tripura was recorded in 1996.

Samarpita Dutta, Director of the Tripura State AIDS Control Society, had earlier said that youths and students have high rates of HIV and AIDS due to the use of injectable drugs and high-risk behaviour.

A TSACS report found that 87 per cent of the injected drug users in Tripura are aged 16-30, with the highest group being in the age group of 21-25 years old, comprising 43.5 per cent of all the IDUs.

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