World Aids Day 2023: Will the goal of controlling AIDS be achieved in the next seven years?

‘National AIDS Control Organization’ has made a strategy to make the entire India ‘AIDS free’. The target for completion has been set by 2023. By the way, the number of AIDS infections has decreased significantly in the last three-four years as compared to the last few decades. In fact, people have become serious and aware about this disease. People have started getting themselves checked from time to time. The central and state governments have also made HIV testing mandatory in all hospitals before free delivery or other medical tests. This step of the government has worked excellently. There has been tremendous awareness about AIDS among the countrymen. This is the main prevention of this disease. If the trend continues like this, then the Central Government will not have to face much difficulties in achieving the target of AIDS. This disease was first detected in 1983, after a few years this virus spread rapidly like normal cough and fever. The first case was found in a Canadian citizen who was a flight attendant, his name was Gaetan Dugas. He was accused of knowingly having relations with several American women and infecting them. Such incidents happened in other places also. Many years ago, in Kerala too, a foreigner was caught by the police from the red light area. Who was HIV positive.

On the occasion of ‘World AIDS Day’ it becomes necessary to think about some things. By the way, if we look at the WHO report globally, the current rate of AIDS infection is one per 17 thousand persons. Whereas, in India this rate is said to be only around 5 percent. Maharashtra has the highest number of people infected with AIDS virus in India. Whereas, Tamil Nadu remained at second position. By the way, between 1985 and 1995, the infection of AIDS virus was very high in our country. But, after that the governments stopped the rising rate by doing good on prevention. Efforts should not be reduced until all traces of this disease are eradicated. Some very important precautions regarding AIDS have been given by the Central and State Governments, everyone has to follow them.

However, AIDS disease is also just a virus, which is not at all serious? Shows its effect gradually. If treatment is provided in the initial days and the victim takes necessary precautions, the situation does not suddenly become serious and is controlled. At present there are lakhs of AIDS patients in India who are living normal and long lives. But still AIDS is one of the most stigmatized diseases of the society. Stigmatized because negative things are spread about it. Such things that the disease spreads just by touching or shaking hands of AIDS patients, are completely baseless. Actually, this disease is acceptable in the society. This is the reason, when HIV positive person is diagnosed, the society keeps distance from the positive person and rejects him. Even family members and relatives turn their backs. Then, the victim is forced to live a lonely life even if he does not want to.

It is noteworthy that according to medical science, AIDS is not a serious disease. That the disease spreads by eating together or shaking hands is just a myth. AIDS does not spread due to any of these reasons. Also, it does not spread by using the same toilet, sneezing or coughing or even by hugging. There are other reasons for the spread of AIDS. For example, transfusion of infected blood, having sexual relations with an HIV positive woman or man, as well as having sex with more than one partner, etc. are the main reasons. Today, World AIDS Vaccine Day is being celebrated all over the world, which is also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness. How much impact does it have, perhaps there is no need to tell? The central government has set a target to control AIDS cases by 2030. At the same time, according to AIDS Control Society, necessary medical arrangements have been made like Corona virus. If this happens then it will be commendable and will be counted among the big successes. But, in such a situation the question arises, will the government be able to achieve this target in the next 7 years or not?

Eighty to ninety thousand cases are reported every year in India, last year 87,500 HIV cases were registered. At the same time, 69,000 people lost their lives in the last three years. Between 3 to 4 thousand new cases come from Maharashtra and Delhi every year. The number of infected people in these two states is much more than other states. Red light areas play a big role in these. The number of people dying from AIDS in the world is horrifying. Whatever the virus or disease, the medical system should take it seriously, not lightly? Because even the slightest mistake or negligence of the medical system can cause someone’s death. There is no medicine for a disease like AIDS, the medicine is only awareness and self-defense, in which we should not be negligent in any way. But still prevention of AIDS should not be just about vigilance and awareness. To eliminate it, a vaccine must be manufactured.

– Dr. Ramesh Thakur

Member, National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), Government of India