Question : Impact of COVID on Persons with Critical Health Issues

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of HIV/AIDS cases reported in the country during the last three years;

(b) whether the Government has taken note of the adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic particularly on HIV/AIDS and TB patients due to lack of transportation and reduced restricted mobility in the country during the lockdown;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has conducted any study on impact of COVID-19 on people suffering from various health related issues, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has taken effective measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on people suffering from such ailments and ensure proper medical treatment to them, if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): As per the latest ‘Sankalak: Status of National AIDS Response’ (2020) report of the Government, around 5.56 lakh HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in last three years under HIV testing and counselling services of National AIDS Control Programme in country. The year-wise details of the same are as below:
Financial Year Reported cases
2017-18 191,947
2018-19 187,382
2019-20 177,236







(b) to (e): The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) has facilitated service provision for HIV/AIDS and related co-morbidities like Tuberculosis during the COVID-19 pandemic to all persons registered with the various facilities under the programme.

NACO issued guidance notes to all State/ Union Territories AIDS Control Societies (SACS) to ensure continuity of service provisions as much as possible through differentiated modalities like multi-month dispensation of Anti-retroviral treatment (ART), community-based screening for HIV and decentralized options for management. Necessary actions were taken to ensure unhindered movements of front-line workers and vehicles towards emergency relocations and delivery of medicines to people living with HIV/AIDS.

States were further instructed not to deny medicines if any HIV positive patients were stranded in other States/districts during the pandemic.

NACO also convened several virtual meetings with all stakeholders including community representatives to regularly review and reiterate these instructions.

NACO has also written to all SACS as well as Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for inclusion of PLHIV, and other related populations in social protection schemes.

NACO has not conducted any study on impact of COVID-19 on people suffering from HIV/AIDS.