Report shows AIDS reduced by 54 per cent since 1996

Health Watch

ENDING the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) by 2030 means that every person has access to the combination prevention options to protect oneself from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a doctor says.
Dr Ishwar Gilada, president of the National Conference of AIDS Society of India and Governing Council member, International AIDS Society said: “At the end of December 2021, new HIV infections reported every year have reduced by 54 per cent since its peak in 1996.
“In 2021, 1.5 million people got newly infected with HIV, compared to 3.2 million people in 1996.
“Compared to 2010, annual new infection rate has declined by 32 per cent since then.
“Since 2010, new HIV infections among children have declined by 52 per cent – from 320,000 in 2010 to 160,000 in 2021,” he said.
Dr Gilada said it was a scientifically-proven fact that when the HIV virus was at undetectable levels, then it was un-transmittable. AIDS-related deaths have also declined by 68 per cent in 2021 compared to the peak in 2004. In 2021, around 650,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses worldwide, compared to 2 million people in 2004 and 1.4 million people in 2010.
“We need to recognise and address the inequalities which are holding back progress in ending AIDS, and to equalise access to essential full cascade of HIV care services, particularly for key and vulnerable populations,” he said.
“TB, a disease of poverty and inequality, is a leading cause of severe illness and death among people with HIV.
“TB is preventable and curable and people with HIV who do not receive appropriate prevention and care are at much higher risk of developing and dying from TB.
“Many of those who die from HIV-related TB are the most vulnerable populations who are not reached by timely health services.