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Project Hope/ George Iype

There are more than 3.5 million
   HIV cases in India

Tamil Nadu where the first AIDS case was reported in India in 1986 has the largest number -- 5,741-- of full-blown cases today.

Since the detection of the first AIDS case, there has been an alarming increase in the number of HIV infections in the country. According to the official statistics with the apex National Aids Control Organisation, there are more than 3.5 million HIV cases in India. But unofficial cases could be much higher.

As of June 30, 2000, out of the 3,662,969 people screened for AIDS tests, the number of high risk sero positive HIV cases were 98,451. According to NACO, the sero positive rate per thousand persons in India is 26.88 per cent.

Maharashtra with 51,321 cases tops the Indian states in the number of HIV positive cases. Following Maharashtra are Tamil Nadu with 16,034 HIV positive persons; Manipur -- 7,374; Karnataka -- 6,415 and Goa -- 2,864.

The states with less than 1,000 HIV positive cases are Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Assam, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

There have been 12,389 full-blown AIDS cases in India. Out of it, 9,757 are males and 2,632 females.

Tamil Nadu has the highest number of AIDS infected people in the country -- 5,741. Maharashtra follows with 3,409 cases.

NACO admits it is very difficult to estimate the exact prevalence of HIV in the Indian context because of the varied cultural characteristics, traditions and values with special reference to sexually-related risk behaviour.

The organisation has been conducting HIV sentinel surveillance data to primarily monitor the trends, and assess how rapidly HIV infection increases or decreases over time in different groups and areas.

The World Health Organisation and other health groups estimate the total burden of HIV infections and determine the kind of programmes to be launched based on the data provided by NACO.

The National AIDS Control Project, formulated by the Indian government and implemented by NACO, through a host of voluntary organistaions, hospitals and health centres, has two objectives: To reduce the spread of HIV infection in India and strengthen India's capacity to respond to HIV/AIDS on a long term basis.

An International Development Association mission visited India in 1998 and appraised the project in collaboration with NACO officials. IDA recommended an overall assistance of US $ 191 million with contribution of US $ 38.8 million from the Indian government. The total project cost has been estimated at US $ 229.8 million.

In addition, USAID and DFID have also offered financial assistance of US $ 41.5 million and 28 million pounds respectively for the HIV/AIDS control programme. The USAID project will be for a seven year period.

'I have AIDS,can I get admission there?'

'I have been discarded by my family, by society'

Design: Lynette Menezes


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