Alarming rise in AIDS cases in Gujarat

VADODARA, NOV 25: Though Gujarat may not be the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic, which is slowly gripping the sub-continent, according to f...

VADODARA, NOV 25: Though Gujarat may not be the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic, which is slowly gripping the sub-continent, according to figures with the National Aids Control Organisation NACO till end of July 31, 2000, 331 cases of AIDS were reported in Gujarat in 2000 alone. From being a low prevalent state with less than five per cent cases of the AIDS in 1994, Gujarat has graduated to the category of medium prevalent state with seven per cent incidence in 1999.

This data was presented at the International Conference on AIDS orgasnised by the World Health Organisation at Birmingham in October 2000. The figures are important indicators as it is assumed that the infection shifts from high-risk to general population over a period of time. Therefore all the states go through a stage of low, then concentrated and finally generalised epidemic in absence of effective interventions, states the report.

However, the figures presented by the National Aids Control Unit Gujarat put the figure at an alarming high 746 AIDS patients and 5,587 HIV-positive cases in the state.

According to the NACO report, the estimated number of HIV-infected males per 1,000 in the state stands is estimated to be 56.507 in 1998 which puts Gujarat in ninth spot nationally. The infected number of females per 1,000 is estimated to 25.336 and the male female ratio is 0.449, which is a reason to worry, states the report.

Says Dr Kamal Pathak, medical superintendent of Sir Sayajirao General Hospital, who attended the world conference at Birmimgham,8220;AIDS will spread across the country like an epidemic if there is no proper intervention to the current situation.8221; Pathak feels,8220;Indian way of spiritual lifestyle and monogamy will be the only solution to the epidemic in the long run.8221;

Pathak opines,8220;The incidence may be much higher than the figures. There may be many who cannot identify the disease as AIDS, so ignorance is not always bliss.8221; Besides there is also a gap in data collection in the rural areas which leads to incorrect projection and the real number can be much higher and alarming, feels Pathak.

However, Dr Radium Bhattacharya of Gujarat Aids Prevention Society feels,8220;Not only the Government but each and every individual should participate in the crusade against AIDS.8221; She emphasises,8220;There is need for developing an interpersonal rapport with the target population and intervention is needed at a massive scale to prevent the rapid spread of AIDS.8221; Bhattacharya adds,8220;It is the poor and the marginalised section of the society, specially women and children who are more vulnerable to the infection and they should be reached out to.8221;

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However, all is not lost for India as the NACO report suggests that the development of sentinel surveillance system for tracking the progression of HIV epidemic in India has yielded useful results. Extending the blood testing facilites to all government hospitals and medical colleges within the state will add to the timely identification of the patient which will help in checking the spread of the virus.