J&K has lowest HIV prevalence

Srinagar, Aug 19: The prevalence of HIV in Jammu and Kashmir is lowest in the country with a prevalence of 0.06% as per India HIV Estimates 2021 which is very much below the National prevalence of 0.21%, officials of Health and Medical Education Department said.
An official spokesperson of the health department quoting the figures of Jammu and Kashmir AIDS Control Society said that 6,158 cases have been registered with ART centres in J&K since 1992. He said the JKACS provides a comprehensive package of care, support and treatment to patients.
Since the inception of JKACS 6,158 HIV-positive patients have been registered with ART facilities established in GMC Jammu, SKIMS Soura and GMC Kathua.
“Till date 1,400 HIV-positive patients have died, while 3,478 patients are alive on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) and 547 patients have left follow-up,” he said.
The stigma and discrimination associated with the disease is a great hindrance because of which people are not coming forward for HIV testing.
“HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can also be spread by contact with infected blood or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding, multi-person usage of needles,” the spokesperson said.
He said without medication, it may take years before HIV weakens the immune system to the point that you have AIDS. “A person suffering from AIDS is “unfortunately” often regarded as a stigma in society and such people become victims of ostracism, rejection and discrimination,” he said.
As per doctors drug addicts are at a higher risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and if they are sexually active, they transmit this to their partners as well.
“Under National AIDS control program, patients are given proper care, support and treatment and various services at delivery points like ART Centre, ART Plus centres, LAC, LAC Plus, ICTCs,” he said.
The main objective of the Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre is to provide a comprehensive package of Care-support and Treatment services to persons living with HIV/AIDS(PLHIV).
The objectives of ART centres are to register and provide Care, Support and Treatment services to all PLHIV and monitor patients in HIV care (Pre-ART) regularly, identify eligible PLHIV requiring ART and initiate them or ART in a timely manner as per the NACO guidelines, provide ARV & OI drugs to eligible PLHIVs, treatment adherence and counselling services before and during treatment to ensure high levels of drugs adherence.
He also said that the Jammu and Kashmir government provides financial assistance of Rs 12000/annum to all the PLHIVs of the UT of J&K.
“The other objectives of ART are to counsel and educate PLHIV, caregiver, guardians and family members on nutritional requirements, hygiene, positive living and also on measures to prevent further transmission of infection, refer patients requiring specialized services (including admission) to other departments/higher facilities/CoE, provide comprehensive package of services including condom and prevention education with a view towards ”Positive Prevention” and ultimately integrating HIV care into general health system for long term sustainability,” the spokesperson said.