Experts say division of Andhra Pradesh has pushed Maharashtra to the top, but advocacy still a necessity

Mumbai: There is bad news in store for the fight against AIDS in Maharashtra, with the State at the top of the HIV-positive list with 28,952 cases recorded in 2016-17. While unified Andhra Pradesh reported the maximum number of HIV cases earlier, the division of the State and the formation of Telangana has now pushed Maharashtra to the top of the table. In 2016-17, Andhra Pradesh had recorded 25,322 cases while Telangana recorded 11,271.

As per data obtained under the RTI Act from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) by activist Chetan Kothari, the maximum number of transmissions take place through the heterosexual route. However, transmissions from mother to child, MSM (men having sex with men) and through infected blood and blood products continues to be a worry.

Dr. Shrikala Acharya, project director, Mumbai District AIDS Control Society (MDACS) said there has been a 50% reduction in cases in the country overall. “All interventions continue in the same way in Maharashtra. However, it has suddenly moved up the list due to the division of Andhra Pradesh.” In the last five years, the data does show a decline in cases. In 2012-13, the State recorded 42,458 cases, which fell to 42,112 cases in 2013-14. The numbers fell further to 37,458 in 2014-15 and to 32,836 in 2015-16.

Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Om Shrivastav said a huge migrant population and changing demographics can be a major reason behind the high numbers. “There is still a need for awareness and education to make a difference. The importance of discussing sex education on an open platform continues to be the need of the hour.”

Mother-to-child transmission still continues to be a worry. In 2016-17, 1,567 newborn were infected through their mothers. Medical experts say with the availability of new drug regimes, the rate of mother-to-child transmission can be brought down to zero. According to gynaecologist Dr. Ashok Anand from JJ Hospital, early intervention and close monitoring of HIV-positive pregnant women can go a long way in reducing the incidence of transmission to children.

JJ Hospital has achieved a zero-percent transmission rate over the past three years by using the multi-drug Nevirapine therapy. “Neviripine is given to the baby for three weeks if the mother is on Anti-Retroviral Therapy since 14th week of pregnancy, and for six weeks if the mother starts ART at 24 weeks,” he said. Dr. Anand said if JJ Hospital can achieve zero-percent transmission, so can others.