Bolangir: Notwithstanding a host of prevention and awareness measures, the scourge of AIDS has not been brought under control in Bolangir district, which is known for labour migration in Western Odisha, a report said. As cases of HIV infection keep on rising in the district, most of the infections are detected among migrants, the report added.
According to the report, from 2003 till date, the district has recorded 1,572 HIV infection cases. This was stated by District AIDS Prevention Control Unit (DAPCU). Its data says 1,473 HIV cases were detected in 2019. In the current year till October, 99 new cases have been detected in the district.
Among the infected are 753 males, 281 females and 93 children. Of them, 117 are pregnant women. Till date, 260 patients have died in the district of AIDS. Around 117 migrant labourers were infected with the deadly virus.
In Bolangir block, there are 226 AIDS patients while the municipality has 165 cases. Titlagarh block has recorded 178 cases and the municipality has 135 cases. Patnagarh block has reported 117 infections and Patnagarh NAC has recorded 13.
In Turekela block, 85 people are infected with HIV while the number of infections in Kantabanji NAC is 45.
The number of HIV positive cases in Bangemunda is 80; 81 in Saintala; 68 in Muribahal; 63 in Loisingha, 81 in Puintala, 50 in Deogaon; 40 in Khaprakhol; 47 in Belapada; 19 each in Agalpur and Gudbhela block.
Though the state and Central governments have taken a host of steps to rein in the spread of AIDS in the district, the cases of infection have not been checked as expected, it was alleged.
HIV patients have alleged that they have been facing a lot of problem in availing treatment and medicines due to pandemic restrictions.
However, DPM of District AIDS Prevention Control Unit (DAPCU), Rajendra Moharana dismissed the allegation, asserting that medicine administrations and pension disbursals to HIV patients were carried on as usual even during the lockdown.
Free railway passes were issued to 265 HIV infected people and bus passes to 96, he added.
Moharana warned that cases of HIV infection are rising in the district owing to unsafe sex while the district has been bracketed in ‘A’ category as per National AIDS Control Organisation on the basis of prevalence.
PNN