The Tamil Nadu Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Subramanian, announced that 748 new cases of HIV have been detected in the state, with comprehensive medical treatment being provided to the affected individuals.
Speaking at an awareness event held at the Tamil Nadu AIDS Control Program Directorate in Chennai’s Ezhumbur, the minister stated that the overall HIV infection rate in Tamil Nadu is comparatively low. While India has a national HIV prevalence rate of 0.23%, Tamil Nadu’s rate stands at 0.16%, a significant reduction over the years. To further decrease this rate, the government has been implementing several initiatives, including setting up 3,161 HIV testing centers and 74 centers for administering combined antiretroviral therapy.
Additionally, the state has made notable strides in supporting children affected by HIV. Since 2009, the government has been providing educational and nutritional assistance to these children through a dedicated trust, which has now increased its funding from 5 crore rupees to 25 crore rupees, benefiting over 7,300 children.
As part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness, the Health Department will soon launch the “Red Ribbon Club” across all medical colleges in the state. Special awareness campaigns have also been organized, with a total of 73,560 people undergoing HIV tests this year alone. Out of these, 748 individuals were newly diagnosed with the virus, and they are currently receiving treatment.
Minister Subramanian emphasized that sustained awareness campaigns and preventive measures will significantly reduce the future spread of HIV in Tamil Nadu, further strengthening the state’s fight against AIDS.