Thiruvananthapuram: The prevalence of HIV infections among adults in Kerala is only 0.07 compared to the national figure of 0.20 which will enable the state to avoid new infections much earlier than 2030 in line with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, health minister Veena George has said. The minister said 1,263 new infections were identified in the state in the last financial year.
The minister said to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030, significant efforts are being made through the campaign ‘One to Zero goal: Zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero stigma and discrimination’.
Kerala is striving to meet the 95:95:95 target by 2025. The first 95 refers to identifying 95 per cent of people living with HIV. The second 95 aims to have 95 per cent of those diagnosed with HIV on Antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment. The third 95 targets achieving viral suppression in 95 per cent of those under treatment. As of 2024, Kerala achieved the second and third targets and reached 76 per cent of the first target, said the minister.
The health department places great importance on the treatment and care of people living with HIV. There are 793 Jyothis integrated counselling and testing centres in the state. Fifteen Ushus centres (ART) operate in all medical colleges and district hospitals in Kannur, Kollam, Mananthavady (Wayanad), Kasaragod, and Ernakulam. Additionally, Ushus sub-centres function as link ART centres in other major hospitals.
The care support centres (CSC) operate in seven districts to provide necessary follow-up services for those registered and receiving treatment at ART centres. There are 23 Pulari centres offering free treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Sixty-four safety projects are active across all districts for HIV prevention among high-risk target groups, said the minister.
