Alarming Slowdown: Maharashtra’s Fight Against New HIV Infections Faces Unexpected Challenge Despite Remarkable Progress

World AIDS Day 2024: Maharashtra Intensifies Efforts to Combat HIV Challenges

Mumbai: In recent years, Maharashtra’s momentum in reducing new HIV infections has waned, despite past advances. The state averages 37 new infections daily, with nine occurring in Mumbai, according to the Health Department’s 2023-24 report. Experts are urging stronger public-private collaborations and expanded outreach to overcome persistent hurdles. Activist Ganesh Acharya highlights the need for updated strategies, especially considering the rise of dating apps and online platforms. He emphasizes the importance of self-testing kits and broader access to prophylaxis treatments, as younger individuals tend to avoid government facilities for testing.

Looking to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, Maharashtra aims to fulfill the 95-95-95 treatment goal by 2025, ensuring 95% of those with HIV know their status, 95% receive treatment, and 95% achieve viral suppression to reduce transmission risk. The Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) and Mumbai District AIDS Control Society (MDACS) spearhead awareness, testing, and treatment initiatives. Data from MSACS indicates a slight decline in new infections, with positive test rates dropping from 0.36% in 2021-22 to 0.31% in 2023-24.

Mumbai’s HIV programme, as noted by MDACS Additional Project Director Dr. Vijay Karanjkar, is maturing but needs to target underserved areas better. Despite digitizing services, response rates lag, and the focus remains on expanding outreach to high-risk groups. Alarmingly, unsafe sex continues to be a major cause, accounting for 95% of new infections. The MDACS has introduced campaigns targeting dating app users and workers in high-risk settings, yet Acharya criticizes their limited scope, as many remain unreached by these efforts.

A significant issue is the loss to follow-up in patient monitoring, with over 4.5% of patients unaccounted for after viral load testing. Addressing these gaps will be vital for Maharashtra’s ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS.

Original Story https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/world-aids-day-2024-maharashtras-progress-in-curbing-new-hiv-infections-slows-despite-significant-advancements
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Publish Date: 2024-12-01 03:38:00