Question : AIDS CASES IN HILLY STATES

(a) whether the number of AIDS patients is continuously increasing in the Hilly States of the country including Uttarkhand as reported in “Jansatta” dated May, 25, 2007; 

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefore, State-wise;  

(c) the reaction of the Government in this regard;  

(d) whether the Government has prepared any special scheme to check the spread of AIDS in such areas of the country; and  

(e) if so, the details thereof?    

THE MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS)  

(a)to(e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.  

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 312 FOR 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2007

As per information available at NACO, slight increase in number of reported AIDS cases has been noticed in some of the hilly states namely Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand besides north eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram & Manipur. The increase in reporting of AIDS cases may be attributed to initiation of Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) Programme in the country since 2004. The state-wise details of reported AIDS cases since 1991 is annexed.  

The Government of India has launched the National AIDS Control Programme Phase III, with the goal to halt and reverse the epidemic in the country over the next 5 years by integrating programmes for prevention, care, support and treatment through a four-pronged strategy consisting of prevention of new infections among high risk groups and general population, expanding access to treatment, improving programme management and strengthening Information Management Systems.  

In order to make people aware about HIV/AIDS and promote safe behaviours, NACO and State AIDS Control Societies conduct regular IEC campaigns through mass media and inter-personal communication channels. NACO’s programmes “Jeewan Hai Anmol” and “Lets Talk AIDS” is aired on 174 AIR stations in 24 languages including the stations in the hilly areas. The special episodes of “Kalyani” health magazine on Doordarshan is telecast focusing on rural, hilly and semi-urban populations. Special awareness programme through Song & Drama Division and Directorate of Field Publicity have been organized in the hilly states where regular mass media presence is low. Besides this, the sensitization of members from Gram Sabhas, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Aanganwadi workers, Self Help Groups and media is also undertaken on a regular basis. In the north eastern states, the faith based organizations have been involved on a large scale to promote awareness and safe behaviour.