India witnesses 56 pct drop in new HIV cases: UNAIDS

[Bl[i]tZ]

College students form a red ribbon during a HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in Chandigarh. Reuters

Geneva: India, which has one of the highest population of HIV-infected people in Asia, has witnessed a decline in new infections by a significant 56 percent from the epidemic’s peak in 1996, with other Asian countries also showing a plunge.

According to the UNAIDS World Aids Day report 2011, the number of new HIV infections has been falling significantly in Asia, with India leading the pack.
It said new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 21 percent from the peak of the epidemic around world.


The number of people dying of AIDS-related causes fell to 1.8 million in 2010, down from a peak of 2.2 million in the mid-2000s, while a total of 2.5 million deaths have been averted in low- and middle-income countries since 1995 due to antiretroviral therapy being introduced.

“In South and South-East Asia, the estimated 270,000 new HIV infections in 2010 was 40 percent less than at the epidemic’s peak in 1996,” said the report.

“In India, the country with the largest number of people living with HIV in the region, new HIV infections fell by 56 percent,” it added.

In 2002, India had about 2.73 million people living with HIV, which fell to 2.27 million in 2008.

Releasing the report here, Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibe said the results are satisfactory, but stressed that shared responsibility is needed to combat the epidemic more effectively.

“Even in a very difficult financial crisis, countries are delivering results in the AIDS response. We have seen a massive scale up in access to HIV treatment which has had a dramatic effect on the lives of people everywhere,” Sidibe
said in a release.

India witnesses 56 pct drop in new HIV cases: UNAIDS | Firstpost

 

[KALKI]

Sharp drop in HIV cases in India

India had witnessed a sharp decline in the number of new HIV cases — a 56 per cent drop — in the past 10 years.

“HIV infections have declined by 56 per cent during the last decade from 2.7 lakh in 2000 to 1.2 lakh in 2009 in our country,” Indian Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said in the national capital.

“This has been possible due to political support at the highest levels to the various interventions under National AIDS Control Programme, including Parliamentarians and elected leaders at the state and local levels and cooperation received from NGOs, civil society, etc” the minister said at a symposium while addressing an international HIV vaccine symposium. Expressing similar sentiments, Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Ashwani Kumar said that the Government believes that the new HIV infections could be significantly reduced if effective prevention programs are expanded and reach those at greatest risk of HIV infection.

In fact, HIV — which causes AIDS — was detected in India nearly 25 years back. Though more than 2 million people are affected by the virus, India is said to be one of the few countries which has actually made significant reductions in HIV infections. The country’s HIV AIDS prevention model has been even lauded by United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon.

The Hindu : Health / Medicine & Research : Sharp drop in HIV cases in India

 

[ManuZ]

This news has to be appreciated....
Its proves that with all the chaos and politics, things work out in India.
Our society takes time to recognize the problem...takes more time to take precautions...
But sure will take care of our self.....

 

[ajtr]

Bill clinton foundation has shown results on ground. its efforts are bearing fruits.

 

[Boson]

I think we need to focus on Tuberculosis .... since it's highly infectious.

It's cure it not too costly (In fact, free medicines are available from Govt hospitals).

What's needed is media campaign to raise awareness.

The problem is that the treatment MUST be pursued till six months, even though the person starts feeling almost normal within a month of medicines. That is when people stop the medicines and the TB relapses (and after relapse it needs much costlier medication).

The thing is an infected person from HIV is safe, if he doesn't indulge in unsafe sex.

But an infected person isn't safe from Tuberculosis .... since it is communicable via Air.

Getting rid of Tuberculosis is very important.... and it's completely CURABLE, and the cure is CHEAP.

What's needed is awareness among people.

 

[alok mishra]

wow it really a great news....................

Condom..Condom..Condom.....Condom khul ke bolo