Tripura Combats HIV Epidemic with Aggressive Awareness Campaigns and Infrastructure Development
In a bid to combat the growing HIV epidemic, the Tripura government has launched a multi-faceted initiative, which includes awareness campaigns, infrastructure development, and collaborative efforts with other states. According to the National AIDS Control Organization’s Sankalak Report 2024, Tripura’s adult HIV prevalence stands at 0.33%, significantly higher than the national average of 0.22%. This makes the state the 5th highest in the northeastern region for HIV prevalence.
In response to concerns raised by Congress MLA Gopal Chandra Roy and CPM MLA Nayan Sarkar during the state legislature’s budget session, Chief Minister Prof Dr. Manik Saha shared the details of the initiatives undertaken to combat the epidemic. The state’s Health and Family Welfare Minister informed that the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (SACS) has conducted district-level sensitization programs engaging 220 school principals and heads, focusing on educating and preventing risky behaviors among students.
The SACS has also implemented an intensified Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign, which reached 1,556,689 individuals, covering over 660 villages, 400 schools, and 36 colleges. The campaign featured 140 folk performances to disseminate comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Additionally, targeted sensitization programs were organized for corporators of the Agartala Municipal Council and Zilla Parishad members in West Tripura District, focusing on HIV/AIDS and injecting drug abuse.
To further strengthen the state’s healthcare infrastructure, three new Satellite Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centers became operational in Dhalai and South Districts, while 18 Primary Health Centers/Community Health Centers/Urban Primary Health Centers (PHCs/CHCs/UPHCs) in West District were approved for conversion into OST centers under the Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OAAT) model from Punjab. The state also held a Multi-Stakeholder Consultation meeting in December 2024 to address injecting drug use and HIV prevalence in Tripura.
The state has witnessed a steady decline in new HIV-positive cases, with 1,845 reported in 2022-23, 1,790 in 2023-24, and 1,185 up to January 2024-25. Chief Minister Dr. Saha emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling the HIV epidemic through a multi-pronged approach, combining awareness, infrastructure development, and collaborative efforts. The initiatives demonstrate the state’s resolve to achieve national and global targets for HIV prevention and control.
The recent figures reflect the success of sustained efforts to combat the epidemic, with a decline in new cases reported over the years. As the state continues to grapple with the issue, its aggressive awareness campaigns and infrastructure development initiatives serve as a testament to its commitment to tackling the HIV epidemic.
Original Source: https://tripurachronicle.in/local-news/tripuras-adult-hiv-prevalence-at-0-33-a-rate-higher-than-national-average-of-0-22/
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Publish Date: 2025-03-25 17:40:00
