The government of Tripura has reported an alarming increase in the number of active HIV-positive and AIDS cases in the state. As of November 30, during the fiscal year 2023-24, the count has reached a staggering 5287 active cases.
In a written reply to a question raised by Animesh Debbarma, the Leader of Opposition and TIPRA Motha MLA, during the ongoing winter assembly session on Tuesday, the Health and Family Welfare Department’s minister (In-charge) further detailed the gender distribution of these cases. Out of the total 5287 active cases, 1023 are women, 4262 are men, and 2 belong to the third gender.
In view of the escalating crisis, the government, under the guidance of the Union Ministry, has initiated a series of measures to control the spread of HIV and AIDS. The minister outlined these measures in his written response.
The government has established Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTC) in 24 hospitals, Facility Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (FICTC) in 133 hospitals, and 3 PPP Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (PPP-ICTC). Additionally, a mobile integrated counseling and testing centre van is currently operational in the state.
Moreover, the government has launched a Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) Centre at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP Hospital. At present, 15 TI agencies, 2 Link Worker Schemes, and 4 One Stop centers are functioning under the Tripura State AIDS Control Society. These centers involve 5,928 female sex workers, 853 homosexuals, 6,473 migrant workers, 3,450 truck drivers, 96 trans genders, and 8,073 intravenous drug users.
As of October 2023, at least 2545 injectable drug users across the state were infected with HIV. To combat this, the Tripura State AIDS Control Society has incorporated OPIOD Substitution Therapy Services. This initiative has helped bring a total of 5,267 intravenous drug users back to normal life in the state, with 430 of them having been cured by treatment.
Under the supervision of the Union Health Ministry and the Tripura State AIDS Control Society, OPIOD Substitution Therapy Centers have been set up in several locations across the state. These include Bhangmun Hospital at Jampui Hill, Kumarghat Hospital, Kailasahar District Hospital, Dhalai District Hospital, Jirania CHC, Abhaynagar Urban PHC, and Dhamcherra PHC.
In addition to this, 16 Satellite OPIOD Substitution Therapy Centers and an Anti-Retroviral Therapy Plus Center are currently operational in various hospitals across the state, including AGMC, for the benefit of drug users.
The government is also providing a monthly allowance of Rs. 2000 to each of the 2031 HIV/AIDS patients. Furthermore, free HIV diagnostic tests are being conducted in remote areas of the state through mobile integrated counselling and testing centre vans.