AIDS cases show decline in Assam
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.”
Farm women get tips on home care
With winter at its peak and festivals of Lohri and Maghi falling this month, scientists of College of Home Science educated farm women about home decoration, care of woollens, diet and health of family members, especially of children. The participants were also exhorted to Celebrate Lohri with equal zeal for both newborn boys and girls.
Sharing a few key tit-bits with participants, Dr Kiran Grover said 'phulkaris' and 'baghs' could be used to decorate the house as they not only provided warmth but also added to the beauty of the room.
Throwing light on diet and health care, Dr Harinder Saggu said oilseeds like groundnuts, flaxseeds, sesame and sunflower were consumed in large quantity as they were a good source of energy and protein. '''Til gachak' and 'pinnis' are the gifts of winter. Roasted and shelled sunflower seeds can be supplemented in wheat flour and besan to make delicious and nutritious 'pinnis', 'panjiri', 'barfi' and 'mathi','' Dr Saggu said, adding, ''Make use of herbs like tulsi, ginger, banfasan, mulathi and cloves during these months.''
Referring to the use and care of woollens, Dr Surinderjit Kaur elaborated that besides silk and woollens, clothes such as 'khadi', velvet, spun and cashmilon suits should be worn. ''Woollens are more durable and wrinkle resistant as compared to silk and cotton clothes because they absorb moisture to a considerable extent,'' she added. Dr Sukhminder Kaur suggested that clothes should be washed on a dry day so that they could be dried outdoors and special care of baby's garments like thermal wear should be taken as they need frequent washing, when soiled.
