Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The number of HIV cases has increased by 78 in comparison to the cases found last year but the health department officials are taking it as a positive sign of increasing awareness which has increased the number of testing as well.
As many as 1,47,083 people (including 62,854 pregnant women) have been tested for HIV since January 1, 2022 out of which 25 pregnant women and 467 people have tested HIV positive.
“Yes, the number of HIV cases has increased but the number of testing has also increased by over 27,000 as compared to last year. Last year, as many as 1,20,318 samples were tested out of which 414 people were found positive,” nodal officer of HIV-AIDS programme Dr Rahul Shrivastava said.
He said that they will intensify awareness programmes and increase testing of patients to prevent them from the disease, “We will run a 15-day awareness as well as testing programme at different health centres of the city,” Dr Shrivastava said.
The official added that the report of HIV cases states that unsafe sex is still the major reason for the disease due to which they will focus on spreading awareness among people.
About 5,000 active cases, life expectancy increases to 60 years
In-charge of ART centre in MGM Medical College Dr Ashok Thakur said that survival and life expectancy of HIV patients has increased due to proper treatment and awareness among people.
“Normal people’s life expectancy is 68 years and that of HIV patients is 60 years. Earlier, it was only 10 years when proper treatment was not within the reach of people,” he added.
The expert added that HIV-AIDS is majorly found in the patients of age group 18 to 45 years i.e. in sexually active age group. People should remain aware of the dangers of unsafe sex.
HIV-positive cases in last 10 years
Year - Tests conducted Positive cases
2012 - 60636 - 901
2013 - 75637 - 893
2014 - 92933 - 885
2015 - 94035 - 668
2016 - 98297 - 644
2017 - 99242 - 598
2018 - 131478 - 695
2019 - 146234 - 703
2020 - 101456 - 360
2021 - 120318 - 414
2022 (till Nov 29) - 147083 - 492
