The increasing number of hiv infected patients in uttarakhand has become a matter of concern for the health department and the government. The highest number of hiv infection cases have been registered in the four plain districts of the state, dehradun, nainital, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. A total of 4,556 hiv infected patients have been found in uttarakhand in the last four years. Out of which 1,656 patients have been found in dehradun district alone. At the same time, nainital is the second most affected district with 968 cases.
dehradun has become the biggest center of hiv infection. 36 percent of the total hiv cases reported in the state in the last four years are from this district only. The number of cases in nainital, Haridwar and Udham Singh nagar is also worrying. These four districts recorded 90 percent of the total hiv infection in the state during the last four years. However, it is a matter of relief that the hiv infection rate in the state (15-49 age group) has remained stable for the last four years. Currently the infection rate is 0.13 percent, the main reason for this is the continuous testing being done by the health department.
dehradun has the highest number of cases
In the financial year 2023-24, 6,33,930 persons were tested for hiv, in which 1,465 people were found infected, while between the financial year 2024-25 (April to October), 764 new hiv positive cases were found in 3,07,749 persons. In the last four years, the number of hiv infected patients in dehradun, nainital and Haridwar is increasing continuously. In 2023-24, 543 new cases were reported in dehradun, 261 in Haridwar, 175 in Udham Singh Nagar.
Identification and treatment of infection
There are 43 stand alone testing centers (ICTC) and one mobile ICTC working in the state for identification and treatment of HIV. Here free information and testing facilities are provided to prevent hiv / AIDS. For the treatment of infected patients, 12 Anti Retro Viral Therapy (ART) centers are being run in the state. 7,574 hiv infected patients are being given free medicines at these centers. Although these medicines do not cure the patient completely, they prove helpful in increasing their lifespan.
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