AIDS has become an epidemic in the district. At least 51 deaths have been reported because of this fatal disease. At least six have died in July only.
As per reports, at least 20 pregnant women are suffering from HIV. The State government, however, has done little to contain the spread of the disease. Among the 5000 'Banchhras' staying in 25 villages of the district, prostitution is an accepted norm. The president of a social organization, People living With HIV, AIDS, said the brothels set up by the Banchhras were a breeding ground of the disease.
If records of the District AIDS Control Society are to be believed, in July alone, six persons died of the disease and at least 20 pregnant women were found to be suffering from the infection. Between 2005 and 2013, 51 persons, including 37 men and 14 women, had died of the disease. Currently, 414 men and 316 women are suffering from HIV in the district. Over a hundred persons suffer from full-blown AIDS.
The society has 10 employees who receive a handsome salary and broadcast material from the National Aids Control Society. Besides, lakhs of rupees is received by the District Aids Control Society. But they are doing little to contain the disease. Neither are they creating awareness about the disease. Two NGOs, Vishwas and Jeevan Jyoti too are into the work and receive grants from the government, but awareness on the ground level appears to be nil.
Only one organization, Neemuch Network of People living With HIV, AIDS, has been carrying out the work with some effectiveness. The District Aids Control Society came into existence in 2005. Since then, Dr RP Maheshwari has been posted as nodal officer. Regarding the poor situation in the district, Dr Maheshwari says "the number of patients is rising just because more number of cases are being reported these days."