Over 63,000 in Odisha suffer from HIV, numbers rising despite govt measures

Odisha has reported a steady rise in HIV cases, with over 63,742 individuals infected as of December 2024, according to data shared by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling in the State Assembly.

Despite government interventions, annual infections climbed from 2,341 in 2021 to 3,436 in 2023–24, reflecting persistent challenges in curbing the disease.

State’s Response and Infrastructure

The government operates 167 standalone HIV counselling centres, 1,232 facility-based testing units, and seven private partnership clinics to tackle the crisis. Additionally, 52 targeted intervention projects and seven link worker programs aim to reduce transmission among high-risk groups across 800 villages.

Gaps in Containment Efforts

While these measures emphasize prevention and testing, the consistent year-on-year rise in cases highlights gaps in outreach or effectiveness. The state has not disclosed specific reasons for the upward trend, but limited access to education, stigma, and migration-linked transmission may be contributing factors.

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Broader Health Challenges

The HIV crisis coincides with other public health burdens, such as kidney disease, which has affected 15,752 people in Odisha. The state has allocated 511 dialysis beds across 68 centres to address renal care, though disparities in healthcare access persist.

Meanwhile, health experts urge the government to enhance monitoring, expand rural outreach, and integrate HIV prevention with broader health initiatives. Special efforts have also been made to curb HIV transmission among migrant workers, a significant at-risk group.

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Awareness campaigns are being conducted at 11 railway stations and major bus terminals to educate travellers about prevention and early testing.