Mumbai: Testing camps at railway stations help find 88 HIV positive people

At least 29,314 people voluntarily underwent the tests organised at nine railway stations. Representation pic

HIV screenings by the Mumbai District Aids Control Society (MDACS) at railway stations in Mumbai in December, have helped find 88 people living with the infection. They have been put on Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART).

On the occasion of ‘World HIV Day' on December 1, MDACS had organised many events to spread awareness among about the disease. One such event was organised at major railway stations in the city where travellers could come voluntarily and get tested. The testing counters were placed at nine prominent railway stations including Andheri, Bandra, Borivli, CSMT, Dadar, Ghatkopar, Kurla, Mankhurd and Wadala. Additional Project Director of MDACS Dr Vijay Karanjkar said, "We had organised a 10-day screening programme at major railway stations in December. Mumbaikars responded enthusiastically. A total of 29,314 people went through testing and 88 (0.3%) people were found positive, which is equal to the Maharashtra state positivity rate. These people were unaware that they had the infection. All those positive people have been put on ART. Early diagnosis helps to prevent the spread of disease and timely treatment can lead to a healthy life."

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All the health initiatives that were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, the testing and case detection rate had gone down in HIV too. However, things are under control now and the programmes are getting back on track. According to MDACS, 4,75,540 people were tested in the year April 2019-20, out of which 0.9 per cent i.e. 4,473 people were found to be HIV positive. In the year 2021-22, out of 3,87,399 people tested, .e. 3,087 people were found positive.