Srinagar, Nov 11: Jammu and Kashmir has a total number of 6982 people who are living with HIV/AIDS registered with the Jammu and Kashmir Aids Control Society. Among them, the total alive, as per official records 3299 are on Antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is the treatment of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using anti-HIV drugs.
According to the official details of the Jammu and Kashmir Aids Control Society (JKACS), out of the total 6982 are registered with the JKACS as of September 2022 out of which 3299 are on the ART.
According to the Project Director Dr Samir Tattoo, various initiatives under the programme are ongoing, while targeted interventions are one of the main components under NACP III.
The NACP III is designed to reduce the rate of HIV transmission among the Core Group like female sex workers (FSWs), men having sex with men (MSMs) and injecting drug users (IDUs) and bridge populations like migrants and truckers.
The TI programme is being implemented through Community-Based Organizations (CBO) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
Targeted interventions are a resource-effective way to implement HIV prevention and care programmes in settings with low-level and concentrated HIV epidemics in the state. They are also a cost-effective method of reaching people who are most at risk in more generalized epidemics.
According to the JKACS officials the targeted interventions are aimed at offering prevention and care services to high-risk populations (Female Sex Workers- FSW, Males having Sex with Males- MSM and Injecting Drug Users- IDUs) within communities by providing them with the information, means and skills they need to minimize HIV transmission and improving their access to care, support and treatment services.
“These programmes also improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among these populations and improve general health by helping them reduce the harm associated with behaviour such as sex work and injecting drug use,” they said.
