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Assam has registered a decline in the rate of HIV positive infection, a significant development considering the fact that the state is placed in a highly vulnerable category to this fatal infection.

The joint director (care, support and treatment) of the Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS), Hem Chandra Barman, told The Telegraph the rate of HIV infection in 2005-06 was 24 against every 1,000 tested samples and the figure has gone down to 7.5 in 2010. He said the rate is expected to decline further. During the last decade, the rate of infection was 10.7 in 2001, 11.8 in 2002, 14.4 in 2003, 18.0 in 2004, 21.5 in 2005, 24.1 in 2006, 15.4 in 2007, 11.2 in 2008, 8.7 in 2009 and 7.5 in 2010. “It will be too early on our part to rejoice about the development. More time and data will be required to draw a clear picture about the HIV positive cases and AIDS scenario in the state. But ASACS is satisfied that it has been able to reverse the increasing trend which is the main objective of phase III of National AIDS Control Programme,” he said.

Barman while attributing the decline to the high level of awareness among the people to take preventive steps, said, “The HIV positive or AIDS is now being considered as a chronic manageable disease.”

He said the infected persons could lead a normal life if they continue with the Anti-Retroviral-Treatment (ART).

“ART is being provided free of cost at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh and Silchar Medical College and Hospital. The government even provides transportation cost to patients. So those suffering from HIV infection and their families should not panic but undergo treatment to lead a long and normal life.

“People now do not die due to HIV infection or AIDS. The patients die due to other opportunistic or secondary infections during their treatment of HIV infection. The need of the hour is to do away with the social stigma and prejudices associated with the disease,” Barman said.

At present Assam has 4,800 HIV positive cases and 1,205 AIDS patients.

Barman said, “If an HIV positive patient does not take proper medical intervention and discontinues ART, he or she is likely to develop AIDS.”

For effective detection and awareness about HIV infection, ASACS has introduced a mobile blood van for GMCH blood bank. There are six blood transportation vans, one mobile integrated counselling and testing centre (ICTC) for Kamrup district, 20 new ICTCs at public health centres and five ICTCs in private institutions across the state.

Barman said, “The ASACS will initiate all possible steps to take care of the four-year-old HIV infected girl to lead a normal life. She was abandoned by her family in Nalbari district. Once the society finds her in a condition fit for providing ART, it will proceed accordingly.”