Project Director, H.P. State AIDS Control Society, Dr. M.K. Pathak said that more regressive approach for prevention of HIV/AIDS in the State will be adopted and added that Rs. 1316.66 lakh are being spent under AIDS Control Programme during 2011-12 in the State. Two new Blood Component Separation Units and two new Link Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centres will be added in current financial year. He said that two existing Link ART Centres will also be upgraded. He said that 1.40 lakh persons will be tested for HIV which also includes 40,000 pregnant women. 1600 persons living with HIV/AIDS will be provided with Anti-Retroviral Therapy to prolong their life span.
He said that the focus of awareness activities will be on Folk Media activities and 900 folk media performances will be carried out in entire State during current financial year. First phase of Folk Media Campaign will be organized from May to July, 2011 in which five districts viz. Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul & Spiti and Kullu will be covered and remaining districts to be covered in second phase from October to December, 2011.
He said that in the State, number of Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) registered an increase of 200 percent since 2008. Presently, State has 49 ICTCs as compared to 21 till year 2007, he added. Also increase in HIV testing is remarkable as 350 percent upswing has been registered in testing since 2008. 271364 persons got tested for HIV i.e. nearly four percent of population from year 2008 to till date as compared to mere 75177 before this period.
Toll free helpline on HIV/AIDS prevention was made operation on 1st December, 2008 and 80259 people made aware through this, so far. Also, H.P. State AIDS Control Society website www.hpsacs.org is launched in year 2011.
