Increase in AIDS among drug users

There has been a significant increase in the number of HIV-infected transgenders in India as per the UNAIDS Global Aids report 2010. The report also found that the number of HIV-infected female sex workers has been decreasing but more transgenders and drug-abusers are succumbing to the disease.

Dr Charles Gilks, UNAIDS Country Coordinator, emphasised on the importance of looking into this segment at the UNAIDS conference. D.C. Reddy of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said some steps towards deriving more information about the segment is already underway after seeing a significant increase of infected patients in this group. "We are expanding the round of surveillance for transgenders as we have set up two more centres in Mumbai and Delhi."

"As per 2010 statistics, 9.2 % people are infected with the disease through drug usage, 4.9% through sex workers and 7.3% through sexual intercourse between men. Transgenders need more work as we do not have proper information on the statistics. It is the most probable group that tops the list and is at risk," said Gilks. "We are working towards new methods to derive more information about how many people are infected and living with HIV in India in this group. The second group at risk is that of drug addicts," added Gilks. In 2010, WHO issued revised treatment guidelines recommending earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy at a CD4 count of less than 350 cells. This increased the total number of people medically eligible for antiretroviral therapy by roughly 50% — from 10 million to 15 million in 2009. Mariam Claeson, regional programme coordinator, HIV/AIDS South Asia of the World Bank, said this growth can be attributed to all successful interventions working towards spreading awareness about the disease. "All cost-effective interventions have worked well in India such as pure educators, use of condoms, drug reduction encouragement and will work well for transgenders too," said Claeson.

India had coverage of less than 40% eligible adults who were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Dr Charles said the rate of new HIV infections decreased by more than 25% in India in the last decade. "The challenge India will face will be to prioritise prevention when costs are going up," said Claeson. Mihir Mankad, Deputy Country Director, William, J. Clinton Foundation, said funds provided for people living and infected with HIV are insufficient. "There will be shortage of funds globally, and it isn't about subsidy but proper planning," said Mankad.

28 November 2010 — The Sunday Guardian.