Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Nov 29: It is really healthy news for the people of twin districts of Mangaluru and Udupi. The continuous awareness programmes like Yakshagana and street plays, against the dreaded disease of HIV undertaken by the health department seems to have borne fruit. The number of HIV infected people in both the districts is reducing year by year.
In addition to the already existing programmes, the Aids Prevention Society has planned new unique awareness programmes for the public from this year. It has planned to create awareness against HIV and AIDS through 'Togalu Gombe' in Udupi and Janapada dance of Siddi tribe in the district of Dakshina Kannada. The health department has taken this awareness programme even to the inmates of prison and created awareness among the prisoners to get their blood tested for HIV.
In the year 2007, a total of 2,380 people in the twin districts were identified as HIV patients. However, after 11 years, the number has drastically come down to 685. In 2017, in the district of Dakshina Kannada, 13 pregnant women and 595 others tested positive for HIV. This year the corresponding numbers are 10 and 462.
In 2017, in the district of Udupi, 10 pregnant women and 283 others tested positive for HIV. However, in 2018, the numbers have reduced to 3 and 210 respectively. There is a considerable reduction in the number of pregnant women who are infected with HIV in the district of Udupi.
One notable fact is that among the infected people in both the districts, most are from outstation states and districts. In this year the number of infected people from outstation districts is 194. Other numbers are 138 in Mangaluru, 42 in Bantwal, 36 in Beltangady, 27 in Puttur and 25 in Sullia. Among these are four children below 14 years of age, 357 are in the age group of 15 to 49 years and 101 people are aged above 49 years.
Dr Chidananda Sanju S V, AIDS control officer of Udupi district opines, "The number of instances of HIV infection is reducing due to the awareness created among the public. This year's slogan is 'Know your HIV condition'. Good health is everyone's right. Everyone should know his or her health condition. This test is done free of cost in all the Aapta Mitra ICTC centres of government hospitals.
Dr Badruddin M N, AIDS control officer of Dakshina Kannada district says, "In the district of DK, new public awareness programmes are planned. The HIV awareness will be created through the Siddi tribe of Uttara Kannada district. This programme will be inaugurated on December 1, World AIDS Day."