KOCHI: Ernakulam has something to cheer about on World AIDS day this Thursday. The district has seen a decline in the number of HIV/AIDS cases with each passing year.
Figures with District AIDS Preventive Control (DAPC) Unit reveal that awareness programmes by government and NGOs have hit home with the public and made them realise that prevention is indeed better than cure when it comes to HIV/AIDS. The data shows that HIV/AIDS cases, which stood at 136 in 2015 here, came down to 107 in 11 months this year.
The decline, however, is not specific to Ernakulam only. The entire state is seeing a continuous decrease in the number of cases. While 1,750 such cases were reported in 2014, the number dropped to 1,494 in 2015 and to 1,199 till October this year. Since 2002, 29,221 HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in the state and as many as 20,954 people registered with Kerala State AIDS Control Society. Of this, 15,071 underwent treatment. At present, treatment continues for 11,236 persons, while sadly, 4,673 people passed away. In Ernakulam, 1,934 cases have been reported, while 33,7235 people underwent HIV/AIDS test since 2002.
District Programme Controller of Ernakulam DAPC Dr Asha Mol said the gradual decline in the number of HIV/AIDS cases in Kochi, despite the city’s dense population, was a “very positive sign.”
“No cases of HIV/AIDS at birth is reported here any more. People are aware of the fatal disease and know that only preventive measures can keep it away. They are more cautious,” she said.