HIV worry for Haryana as patient count doubles to 34,000 in 5 years
The number of HIV patients receiving treatment in Haryana has more than doubled in the past five years, with the rise greater among males (over 144 per cent) as compared to females (close to 98 per cent).
In response to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha on November 29, it was informed that 15,371 HIV patients were receiving treatment under the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) in Haryana in 2019-20. This included 8,813 men, 6,525 women and 33 third-gender patients. The number increased to 16,085 in 2020-21, marking a rise of 4.6 per cent.
However, a significant increase was observed in 2021-22, with the number of patients rising to 21,796, a jump of 35.5 per cent. This figure comprised 12,767 men, 8,960 women and 69 third-gender patients.
The upward trend continued in 2022-23, with a further increase of 31.6 per cent, bringing the total to 28,677 patients. The number of male patients rose to 17,427, while female patient count reached 11,161 and 89 third-gender individuals also received treatment. In 2023-24, the total number of HIV patients on treatment increased to 34,535, a rise of 20.4 per cent. The number of male patients grew to 21,526, female patients to 12,899 and third-gender patients to 110.
In comparison, Punjab reported higher numbers, with 63,554 HIV patients in 2023-24, reflecting a 12.4 per cent rise from 2022-23. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh had 5,640 patients receiving treatment in 2023-24, an increase of 7.4 per cent compared to the previous year.
Interestingly, Chandigarh was the only state or union territory to record a decline in HIV patient numbers over the past five years. The number of patients in Chandigarh decreased from 6,480 in 2019-20 to 5,120 in 2023-24, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Nationally, the total number of HIV patients reached 16.89 lakh in 2023-24, an increase of 7.3 per cent over the previous year. The NACP, launched in 1992, is implemented through 36 state AIDS control societies or district AIDS control societies under the respective state governments. The Centre provides grant-in-aid to these societies annually, based on their approved annual action plans. Four phases of the NACP, including the extension phase of NACP IV, were completed by March 2021.
Currently, Phase V of the NACP, fully funded by the Centre, is being implemented to prevent the spread of HIV infections and to ensure that more than 99.5 per cent of the country’s population remains HIV-free. This phase spans five years, from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2026, with an allocated budget of Rs 15,471.94 crore. The NACP Phase V emphasises prevention, detection, treatment and patient retention.
