Mumbai Defies State Trend: 9.5% Rise In HIV-Related Deaths Despite Maharashtra's Steady 5-Year Decline, NACO Data Reveals

Mumbai, June 12: The number of deaths among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Mumbai has shown virtually no significant improvement over the past five years, with annual deaths continuing to remain at similar levels despite advances in HIV treatment and care.

Public health experts and social activists attribute the stagnant mortality trend to factors such as inter-district and inter-state migration, HIV-related stigma, long working hours, mental health challenges and gaps in continuity of care.

PLHIV mortality trends in Mumbai
According to data obtained from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), 1,258 PLHIV registered at Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centres in Mumbai died in 2025-26, compared to 1,245 deaths in 2021-22.

While the figures fluctuated in the intervening years—958 deaths in 2022-23, 986 in 2023-24 and 1,148 in 2024-25—the overall trend indicates that Mumbai has witnessed little change in HIV-related mortality over the last five years. The city also recorded a 9.5 per cent increase in deaths in 2025-26 compared to the previous financial year.

Experts say Mumbai's status as a major economic hub presents unique challenges in HIV care. A large migrant population, frequent movement between districts and states, demanding work schedules, social stigma and mental health concerns often lead to delayed diagnosis, treatment interruptions and poor retention in care, affecting long-term health outcomes among PLHIV.

State and national context
In contrast, Maharashtra has recorded a steady decline in deaths among PLHIV. The number of deaths among PLHIV registered at ART centres in the state fell from 8,789 in 2021-22 to 8,296 in 2022-23, 7,256 in 2023-24, 6,712 in 2024-25 and further to 5,568 in 2025-26.

During the financial year 2025-26, Maharashtra accounted for nearly 11.7 per cent of the 47,489 PLHIV deaths reported across India. Nationally, the number of deaths among PLHIV registered at ART centres declined from 55,519 in 2024-25 to 47,489 in 2025-26, indicating an overall reduction in mortality.

Calls for redesigning HIV care systems
Social activists believe the persistent mortality burden in Mumbai underscores the need to redesign HIV service delivery systems to suit changing lifestyles and socio-economic realities.

Ganesh Acharya, a Mumbai-based HIV/TB activist and social worker, said HIV programmes continue to rely largely on models developed decades ago.

“We are still continuing with a 1990s model of care, intervention and prevention. There is a need to redesign the system to meet today's demands and socio-economic conditions. Many people hesitate to visit ART centres because of stigma, work commitments or other concerns,” he said.

Acharya said technology should be leveraged to ensure continuity of care and improve treatment adherence. “We need innovative mechanisms that use mobile applications and digital platforms to reach people directly, support treatment adherence and strengthen prevention efforts. Community-based organisations should also play a larger role in reaching vulnerable populations and keeping them connected to care,” he added.

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