New HIV infections, deaths on the decline, prevalence in adults continues to be high in Mizoram, Nagaland

The country is committed to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating AIDS by 2030, he said and cited the ongoing Phase V of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme. File
| Photo Credit: X/@JPNadda

India’s sustained efforts have ensured that the prevalence of HIV epidemic in the country remained in low levels over the years, with new infections in 2023 almost 44% lower than in 2010, while AIDS-related deaths declined by 79%, said Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda, on World AIDS Day, on Sunday (December 1, 2024).

Data released by the Ministry added that HIV prevalence in adults continued to be high in Mizoram and Nagaland, closely followed by Manipur. Further, its rising trend in Punjab is a cause for concern.

On the occasion, some reports, including India HIV Estimates 2023 – Technical Report, Prevention Progress Update 2023-2024 (Fourth Edition), and Research Compendium Volume II, were released.

25.44 lakh people living with HIV in 2023

According to the HIV burden estimation report, which is carried out annually and provides updated evidence of the prevalence level and trend of the HIV epidemic in India, the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana among others had an estimated adult prevalence higher than 0.40% (the national prevalence stands at 0.20%).

The report added that, even with the low prevalence, India still had a significant population of an estimated 25.44 lakh living with HIV in 2023. Women aged 15-plus accounted for 44% of it while nearly 3% of the cases were among children.

Meanwhile, speaking at a function held in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday (December 1, 2024), the Minister noted that India in the past adopted a 90-90-90 target for combating AIDS, referring to the target of detecting 90% cases of AIDS in the country, treating 90% of identified people with antiretroviral therapy (ART), and having the viral load suppressed in 90% of them. He said that the targets were later increased to 95-95-95, of which now 81% of people with AIDS had been identified, 88% were being given ART and the viral load in 97% had been suppressed.

Prevalence high in high-risk groups

Mr. Nadda said that there were three important directives for people to pursue in the fight against AIDS. He emphasised the importance of caution to prevent HIV/AIDS infections, the need to adopt a healthy lifestyle and the significance of raising awareness while combating stereotypes through various initiatives.

The document released by the Ministry noted that, in India, HIV prevalence and incidence were well established among sub-populations, which include female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), hijra/transgender (H/ TG) persons, and people living in prisons and other closed settings (P&OCS).

The recent HIV surveillance (2021/23) data show that prevalence among the high-risk groups continues to be much higher (PWID-9.03%; MSM-3.26%; H/TG-3.78%; prison inmates-1.99%; FSW-1.85%; truckers-1.00%; migrants-0.89%) in comparison to the estimated national adult prevalence of 0.20%.