Indus Valley Times

By Payal Banarjee

Bhubaneswar, Dec.7 : Over the past three months, AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) has tested 8,518 individuals for HIV and provided counselling services to 8,538 people. Out of those tested, 31 individuals were found to be HIV positive, and 27 of them have been linked to the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre (ARC). This reflects AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s ongoing commitment to the prevention, diagnosis, and care of individuals affected by HIV.

Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, emphasised the vital role of HIV Counselling and Testing Services (HCTS) as a key entry point for HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. “Our efforts are aligned with national goals, and we aim to expand awareness and ensure timely treatment for those diagnosed with HIV,” Dr. Biswas stated.

As part of the World AIDS Day celebrations, AIIMS Bhubaneswar organised a series of events to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, including an awareness programme held at the OPD foyer for the public. The programme, supported by the Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine and the Department of Transfusion and Blood Bank, in collaboration with the Odisha State AIDS Society, centered around the theme “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right”. The event attracted esteemed dignitaries, medical professionals, staff, and community members.

The event also featured a free HIV testing camp and voluntary blood donation camp, with around 45 individuals taking the opportunity to get tested. Informative leaflets and booklets on HIV/AIDS prevention and care were distributed, and free condoms were handed out to promote safe practices.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar continues to lead the charge in HIV surveillance and epidemiology, being one of the eight Regional Institutes for HIV Surveillance in India. The institute’s coverage includes the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. AIIMS Bhubaneswar will also host the 19th round of HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) in January 2025.

While India has the second-largest HIV epidemic in the world, with approximately 24.67 lakh people living with HIV (PLHIV), the country has made significant progress in ART coverage, which stands at 68%. Odisha, with 52,000 PLHIV, has an HIV prevalence rate of 0.14%, with ART coverage at 49.7%. These statistics highlight the need for sustained efforts to ensure the continued prevention, treatment, and care of people living with HIV.

During the event, experts such as Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida (MS), Dr. Binod Kumar Patro, Dr. Anupam Dey, Dr. Bijayani Behera, Dr. Binod Kumar Behera, Dr. Arvind Kumar Singh, Dr. Ansuman Sahu, Dr. Dhritiman, and Pravasini Pradhan of KNP+ (The Kalinga Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS) engaged the audience in enlightening discussions on the routes of HIV transmission, the importance of routine testing, and the critical role of community involvement in tackling the HIV/AIDS crisis.