Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha kicked off a two-month ‘Intensified Information Education and Communication (IEC)’ campaign on Saturday. This initiative aims to boost awareness about HIV/AIDS. The Chief Minister led a review meeting to discuss ongoing measures against the rising HIV cases in Tripura.
Saha, who also oversees the Health and Family Welfare department, announced that the state government has approved the establishment of drug rehabilitation centers in all eight districts. These centers will assist individuals struggling with drug addiction.
Furthermore, Saha emphasized that teachers play a crucial role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He urged them to take greater responsibility in spreading awareness and preventing the disease.
Health Secretary Gitte Kirankumar Dinkarrao also addressed the meeting. He reported that Red Ribbon clubs have been set up in 31 colleges and higher secondary schools. These clubs will spearhead campaigns to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS. In addition, 13 voluntary organizations are actively involved in conducting extensive awareness campaigns.
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Recently, the Tripura High Court took action in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the rising HIV cases in the state. The court issued notices to both the state and Central governments. It requested comprehensive reports on the issue within two weeks.
The PIL was initiated after reports indicated a troubling increase in HIV cases and related deaths, particularly among students and youth. The court’s division bench, including Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice Arindam Lodh, took note of the severity of the situation. The matter was highlighted by Justice T. Amarnath Goud, who emphasized the urgent need for action.
Available data soesn’t represent clear picture of rising HIV cases in Tripura
Data from the Tripura State AIDS Control Society reveals that between April 2007 and May 2024, 828 students were registered as People Living With HIV (PLHIV). Sadly, 47 of them died over this period. In the 2022-23 period, 67 people, including two students, died from HIV. The number decreased slightly to 44 deaths in the 2023-24 period.
Currently, Tripura has around 8,000 known HIV-positive cases. However, experts believe this number is likely much lower than the actual figure, as many cases remain unreported. The state’s first HIV case was recorded in 1996. Since then, the number of infections has surged, especially among high-risk groups such as intravenous drug users, female sex workers, truck drivers, migrants, and the LGBTQ+ community.