Telangana’s HIV rate halves over 14 years as AIDS awareness gains ground

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community raising awareness on the occasion of World AIDS Day at the Indian Institute of Health and Family Welfare in Hyderabad on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G.

Telangana has witnessed a significant decline in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevalence over the past 14 years, dropping from 0.84% in 2010 to 0.44% in 2024, according to the Telangana State AIDS Control Society (TSACS). This reduction translates to a decrease in the number of Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) in the State from 2.1 lakh in 2010 to 1.5 lakh in 2024.

The State operates 30 Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centres for providing care and support to PLHIVs, including five in Hyderabad — Osmania General Hospital, Gandhi Hospital, TB and Chest Hospital, Niloufer Hospital, and King Koti District Hospital. These centres play a crucial role in providing medication and support to HIV-positive individuals. Of the 1.5 lakh registered PLHIVs in Telangana, approximately one lakh receive treatment from government facilities, with the remainder accessing private centres, said a senior official from the Health department.

In line with its mission to provide quality care and eliminate stigma, TSACS has been conducting awareness campaigns, particularly targeting high-risk groups such as sex workers, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, migrants, and mobile workers. The Health official highlighted the importance of raising awareness about prevention, stating, “HIV can affect anyone, and appropriate information can save lives.”

Awareness, outreach

To mark World AIDS Day, TSACS partnered with the Hyderabad-based Moberra Foundation on Sunday to organise awareness initiatives, including a flash mob at the Indian Institute of Health and Family Welfare in Vengal Rao Nagar. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community participated in the programme to educate the public and combat stigma surrounding HIV.

At an awareness programme held at the Government General and Chest Hospital, Hyderabad’s District Health and Medical Officer J. Venkat stressed the need to address issues of treatment adherence. “Many PLHIVs discontinue medication within six months to a year due to various reasons. Ensuring continuous follow-up and support is essential to sustain the progress made,” he said.