AIIMS Bhubaneswar tests 8,518 individuals, 31 test HIV positive in last three months
Arpit Pattnaik
In the past three months, the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) at AIIMS Bhubaneswar has conducted HIV tests for 8,518 individuals and provided counselling services to 8,538 people. Among those tested, 31 individuals were found to be HIV positive, and 27 of them have been linked to the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre (ARC). This underscores AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s ongoing commitment to the prevention, diagnosis, and care of individuals affected by HIV.
Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, emphasized the crucial role of HIV Counseling and Testing Services (HCTS) as a primary entry point for HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
"Our efforts align with national goals, and we aim to expand awareness and ensure timely treatment for those diagnosed with HIV," stated Dr. Biswas.
As part of the World AIDS Day celebrations, AIIMS Bhubaneswar organized a series of events to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. This included an awareness program held at the OPD foyer for the public. The program, supported by the Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine and the Department of Transfusion and Blood Bank in collaboration with the Odisha State AIDS Society, centered around the theme “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right.” The event attracted esteemed dignitaries, medical professionals, staff, and community members.
The event also featured a free HIV testing camp and a voluntary blood donation camp, with about 45 individuals taking the opportunity to get tested. Informative leaflets and booklets on HIV/AIDS prevention and care were distributed, along with free condoms to promote safe practices.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar continues to lead the charge in HIV surveillance and epidemiology, being one of the eight Regional Institutes for HIV Surveillance in India. The institute’s coverage includes the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. AIIMS Bhubaneswar will also host the 19th round of HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) in January 2025.
While India has the second-largest HIV epidemic in the world, with approximately 2.467 million people living with HIV (PLHIV), the country has made significant progress in ART coverage, which currently stands at 68%. Odisha, with 52,000 PLHIV, has an HIV prevalence rate of 0.14% and an ART coverage rate of 49.7%. These statistics underscore the need for sustained efforts to ensure continued prevention, treatment, and care for people living with HIV.
During the event, experts such as Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida (MS), Dr. Binod Kumar Patro, Dr. Anupam Dey, Dr. Bijayani Behera, Dr. Binod Kumar Behera, Dr. Arvind Kumar Singh, Dr. Ansuman Sahu, Dr. Dhritiman, and Pravasini Pradhan of KNP+ (The Kalinga Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS) engaged the audience in enlightening discussions on the routes of HIV transmission, the importance of routine testing, and the critical role of community involvement in addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis.
