By Dr. S.N. Mothi, Founder Trustee, Asha Kirana Charitable Trust Hospital and Research Centre, Mysuru

Each year, on December 1, the world commemorates World AIDS Day and the theme of World AIDS Day-2023 is ‘Let communities lead.’ It is a moment to inspire the leadership needed to create a future where HIV doesn’t stand in the way of anyone’s life.

World AIDS Day remains as relevant today as it has always been, reminding people and governments that HIV has not gone away. There is still a critical need for increased funding for the AIDS response, to increase awareness of the impact of HIV on people’s lives, to end stigma and discrimination and to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV [UNAIDS].

• HIV remains a major global public health issue, having claimed 40.4 million (32.9 – 51.3 million) lives so far with ongoing transmission in all countries globally; with some countries reporting increasing trends in new infections when previously on the decline.

•  There were an estimated 39.0 million (33.1 – 45.7 million] people living with HIV at the end of 2022, two thirds of whom (25.6 million) are in the WHO African Region.

• In 2022, 6,30,000 (4,80,000 – 8,80,000] people died from HIV-related causes and 1.3 million (1.0 – 1.7 million) people acquired HIV.

• There is no cure for HIV infection. However, with access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, including for opportunistic infections, HIV infection has become a manageable chronic health condition, enabling people living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives.

• WHO, the Global Fund and UNAIDS all have global HIV strategies that are aligned with the SDG target 3.3 of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.

• By 2025, 95% of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) should have a diagnosis, 95% of those should be taking life-saving anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and 95% of PLHIV on treatment should achieve a suppressed viral load for the benefit of the person’s health and for reducing onward HIV transmission. In 2022, these percentages were 86 (%) [73–>98%], 89(%) 75–>98%] and 93(%) [79–>98%], respectively.

• When considering all people living with HIV, 86% [73>–98%] knew their status, 76% [65 – 89%] were receiving anti-retroviral therapy and 71% [60 – 83%] had suppressed viral loads.

To optimise the programmatic impact of HIV treatment and promote efficiency gains, the use of person-centred, differentiated care models has been adopted by countries, reducing the  HIV disease burden on health systems and improving  patient’s  quality of care. 

India has the third highest burden of HIV in the world with an estimated 24 lakh people living with HIV, 63,000 estimated new infections and 42,000 AIDS-related deaths annually.

Adolescents and youths are considered as a new risk group in AIDS pandemic. Being fashionable and partying is OK but remember to be responsible and take preventive precautions.

We at Asha Kirana have seen 3 decades of the pandemic — from a situation when no treatment available to one pill a day… from a situation of death sentence if HIV positive to can live a healthy, productive life… from being an HIV positive kid born from a HIV positive parent to being a parent of HIVe negative kid!

“Life has completed a full circle now”

Out of 225 positive kids under our care, we have 16 positive kids, acquired the disease through vertical transmission, who grew up into responsible adults, got married to positive people and are the parents of HIV negative kids now.

It feels so satisfying to see this whole phenomena — what we started 25 years back as a part-time passion became an obligation and obsession of being responsible in managing the healthcare needs of over 11,000 patients.

It is much rewarding to see our kids, who grew with no hopes in their future and became the brand ambassadors for a HIV-free world now.

HIV Matrimony (Vadhu Varara Samavesha) is happening once in 3 to 4 months in different parts of Karnataka since last few years. Positive people are eager to build their lives, having a life partner and there is an overwhelming response in every matrimonial event. This is truly a good sign in the perspective of people living with HIV/AIDS that we have won the battle of stigma related to the disease.

NOTE: Asha Kirana is hosting a 2-day National Annual Update on HIV/AIDS “HIVeMysuru” on Feb.17 and 18, 2024. About 200 ART Medical Officers, National and International faculties will be participating in this event.