While National Numbers Decline, AIDS In Delhi On Rise With Over 6,000 New Cases

India has witnessed a gradual decline in its HIV/AIDS burden with new cases dropping by 26.6 per cent. AIDS-related deaths have also declined by 56.8 per cent between 2010-2017 as a result of focused efforts, according to the report by United Nations.

However, a worrying trend has emerged. While the cases in the country are declining, the national capital has witnessed a gradual increase on case of HIV/AIDS.

In 2017-2018, as many as 6,563 new patients have been diagnosed with AIDS in Delhi. The number stood at 6,340 in 2016-2017.

According to a written reply by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the Lok Sabha, 2,00,465 people were diagnosed with HIV in 2015-16, 1,93,195 in 2016-17 and 1,90,763 in 2017-18 in the country.

"Due to the increasing migration, the numbers in the capital are on the rise. Every year, new migrants are added to the existing population of Delhi and many of them are diagnosed with HIV," said Dr Parveen Kumar, additional project director, Delhi State AIDS Control Society.

BCCL

The data furnished by the ministry stated that there are 28,445 people in New Delhi living with HIV.

In India, new HIV infections dropped from 1.2 lakh in 2010 to 88,000 in 2017. AIDS-related deaths dropped from 1.6 lakh to 69,000 and number of people living with HIV dropped from 23 lakh to 21 lakh in the same period.

"Sustained and focused efforts to reach key populations have led to major reductions in HIV infections in Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Thailand and Veitnam between 2010-2017. However, epidemics are expanding in Pakistan and Phillipines¡±, the report titled ¡®Miles To Go ¨C Closing Gaps, Breaking Barriers, Righting Injutices¡¯ said.