Goa’s HIV stats registering sharp drop every year: Expert
TNN | Sep 27, 2023, 08.49 AM IST
PANAJI: There are 2,500 persons living with HIV/Aids in North Goa and another 600 in South Goa, said project director of Goa State Aids Control Society Dr Gokuldas Sawant.
“Because Goa is a coastal state, the prevalence of HIV/Aids is high in the four talukas of Bardez, Mormugao, Tiswadi and Salcete,” Sawant told reporters, attributing the cases to commercial activities along the coast, including casinos, bars, and clubs.
Last year, the highest prevalence of HIV/Aids was found in Mormugao, but this year it is Bardez followed by Mormugao, Tiswadi and Salcete.
“This year 153 new HIV cases were detected,” he said, adding that the numbers are falling drastically each year.
“There is very good treatment available which can help a person living with HIV to extend his/her life, but one needs to follow regular treatment, get tested twice a year. They can live a normal life,” said Sawant.
The government provides antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment at the Goa Medical College, Asilo hospital, South Goa district hospital and the Ponda and Chicalim sub district hospitals, he said.
“When anyone defaults on treatment, our outreach workers contact them and try to convince them, but not all oblige. Some migrants leave for their native state without any intimation,” said Sawant, adding that the number of patients defaulting on treatment is small.
The virus has predominantly been found to be transmitted via the sexual route he said, where Goa has a large sexually active population between the ages of 15 and 49. “Forty percent of the HIV cases are found in the 15-29 age group and another thirty percent among the 29-49 age group,” he said.
For the second consecutive year the state has been able to prevent HIV being transmitted from the mother to her new born, he said.
Last year, the highest prevalence of HIV/Aids was found in Mormugao, but this year it is Bardez followed by Mormugao, Tiswadi and Salcete.
“This year 153 new HIV cases were detected,” he said, adding that the numbers are falling drastically each year.
“There is very good treatment available which can help a person living with HIV to extend his/her life, but one needs to follow regular treatment, get tested twice a year. They can live a normal life,” said Sawant.
The government provides antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment at the Goa Medical College, Asilo hospital, South Goa district hospital and the Ponda and Chicalim sub district hospitals, he said.
“When anyone defaults on treatment, our outreach workers contact them and try to convince them, but not all oblige. Some migrants leave for their native state without any intimation,” said Sawant, adding that the number of patients defaulting on treatment is small.
The virus has predominantly been found to be transmitted via the sexual route he said, where Goa has a large sexually active population between the ages of 15 and 49. “Forty percent of the HIV cases are found in the 15-29 age group and another thirty percent among the 29-49 age group,” he said.
For the second consecutive year the state has been able to prevent HIV being transmitted from the mother to her new born, he said.