Over 1,100 tested HIV positive in Apr-Oct period this year: JSAC | Ranchi News
Ranchi: Of 1,47,639 people (excluding pregnant women), who underwent HIV testing across the state between April and Oct this year, 1,139 individuals have tested positive and of them 1,095 were successfully linked to the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), the Jharkhand State Aids Control Society (JSACS) on Monday said.In terms of districts with high caseload during the same period, East Singhbhum reported the highest with 206 cases, Ranchi came second with 173 cases, Hazaribag with 109 cases, while Dhanbad recorded 96, and Giridih reported 65. In contrast, districts like Garhwa had reported no positive cases during this period. Overall, around 18,000 people are living with HIV in the state, officials said.Under the prevention of parent-to-child transmission (PPTCT) programme, 4,74,831 pregnant women were screened for HIV across the state during this period. Of them, 86 were HIV positive, while 105 were living with HIV, bringing the total to 214 HIV-positive pregnant women for the period from April to October.The officials also said districts such as Pakur recorded 13 new cases of pregnant women getting positive, East Singhbhum has reported 10, Sahibganj 4, while Giridih and Palamu reported six new positive pregnant women.Health experts highlighted that despite the persistent social, economic, and medical challenges associated with HIV/AIDS, many people living with HIV in the state continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and a will to survive.Sarju Yadav (name changed), a person living with HIV, said, “I’ve been living with HIV since 1992, but facilities for patients like us have always been lacking. Rims began providing medicines in 2006, yet it remains a lifelong struggle. We face discrimination, feel disconnected from society, and those are deeply frightening.”According to counsellors and officials, strengthened counselling support and community-based care mechanisms have significantly improved both life expectancy and quality of life for affected individuals.Satya Prakash Prasad, the deputy director at the basic service division, JSACS, said, “Our campaign is helping dispel myths about AIDS through workshops, seminars and outreach efforts. With strong support from the govt and health organisations, we are working to improve public understanding and prevention of HIV infection.”Persistent stigma further discourages disclosure and care-seeking despite counselling efforts, Prasad added.Dr Rajesh Kumar Singh, the senior consultant at the critical care medicine of the Bhagwan Mahavir Manipal Hospitals, “Fewer tests and inconsistent treatment access increase the risk of silent transmission. Strengthening screening and care are urgently needed.”
