How Tripura has become a hotspot for AIDS over the years – Firstpost

In Tripura, a concerning surge in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases has swept through its student population over the years.

The Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS) painted a grim picture as they announced,” We have so far registered 828 students who are HIV positive. Out of them, 572 students are still alive and we have lost 47 people due to the dreaded infection,” a senior official from government body told ANI.

As the crisis unfolded, “Many of the students have migrated out of Tripura for higher studies in coveted institutions across the country,” noted the official, highlighting the widespread transmission.

While this news may come as a surprise to many outside the Northeast, the region has been battling HIV infections for several years now.

“HIV infections aren’t new here,” Dr. Samarpita Dutta, Director of the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS) told The Indian Express adding that the state reportedly records 1,500 cases of the deadly disease each year.

But what has led to this alarming surge? Let’s take a closer look

What’s causing the surge?

One of the primary reasons behind the rising cases of AIDS among youth and students in the state has been the prevalent injectable drug usage (IDU).

The TSACS report found that pre-Covid, the IDU prevalence was 5 per cent (2015-2020); post-Covid, it rose to 10 per cent (2020-2023). The HIV/AIDS positivity rate increased from 0.56 per cent in 1999 to 0.92 per cent in 2023-24, with 1,790 positive patients identified by May 2024.

While sexual transmission of HIV has dipped below 2 per cent as of last year, needle sharing has emerged as one of the primary modes of transmission of the deadly virus, as it spreads through blood-to-blood contact.

The figures in the report are recorded in a 17-year period (April 2007 to May 2024), the government said while clarifying the timeline on Thursday.

However, Dr Dutta warned that these HIV/AIDS figures will continue to rise as the infection cannot be entirely eradicated. “Those who test positive remain positive, adding to the numbers,” she stated in The Indian Express.

As of July 2023, Tripura has witnessed a 300 per cent increase in AIDS patients over the previous decade, The Times of India reported.

The drug-use menace

One of the findings in the report reveals that injectable drug users were estimated to be 43 times more likely to contract HIV compared to the general adult population. This finding is particularly concerning for youth in the state.

A significant 87 per cent of registered IDUs in Tripura fall within the age range of 16 to 30, with the highest proportion (43.5 per cent) found among those aged 21 to 25.

Furthermore, the report noted that 12 individuals below the age of 15 have been confirmed as injectable drug users, while 22 percent of all belong to the 16-20 age group.

Moreover, the report found this crisis to disproportionately affect students from affluent backgrounds.

“There are families where both parents are in government service and don’t hesitate in fulfilling the demands of the children. By the time they realize that their children fell prey to drugs, it was too late,” the TSAC official said.

The road to recovery

After the report emerged, Tripura CM Minister Dr Manik Saha took to social media and wrote that all the affected students have received or are receiving Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) as per National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) guidelines.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the cornerstone treatment for HIV/AIDS, consisting of a combination of medications to suppress the virus’s replication within the body.

By curbing viral activity, ART maintains low levels of HIV in the blood, known as viral load, which helps preserve immune function and prevents the progression to AIDS. Although ART does not cure HIV, it effectively controls the infection, enabling people with HIV to lead longer, healthier lives.

“Till May 2024, we have registered 8,729 people in the ART centres. The total number of people who are alive with HIV is 5,674. Among them, 4,570 are males, while 1,103 are females. Only one patient among them is a transgender,” the official said in the report.

Earlier in March, the state CM had stressed the need for monitoring and urged clubs and organisations to educate youths on drug abuse dangers amid concern over the rising AIDS cases, particularly among youths and students using intravenous drugs.

The battle against AIDS is ongoing. Although the government is pushing measures they need to be more sustained.  Education, community outreach, and accessible healthcare services will play crucial in stemming the tide of HIV infections. By prioritising prevention, treatment, and support, Tripura can build a healthier future for generations to come.

With input from agencies