The rapid increase in the number HIV positive pregnant women Jharkhand has become a matter of concern for the Governemnt. This deadly disease (AIDS) is also spreading its wings in the tribal villages of the State now, reveals a recent survey.
In a bid to spread awareness about this deadly disease, a cycle rally would be organised on December 20 in Dhanbad and Bokaro districts, said SN Prasad president of an NGO namely Orange. There has been unprecedented growth in AIDS cases in Bokaro district including its outskirts since after the formation of Jharkhand. In the last few months, 22 new HIV positive patients were identified in the district including at Chas block Intergraded Council Testing Centre (ICTC), Bokaro Genaral Hospital, BTPS, CTPS and IEl hospitals, who were reffered to RIMS (Rajendra Institute of Medical Science) Ranchi, informed the hospital sources.
These new HIV positive cases came into the limelight after the random blood samples were collected from more than 1,000 patients visiting at the centre, hospital sources said adding AIDS has already claimed seven lives till date. Prasad said the maximum cases those who tested positive are of floating population of truck drivers, para-military troops, taxi drivers who occasionally visit their homes and practice unsafe sex despite being aware of the consequences.
"Among these, 90 percent of HIV positive cases are due to only and only unsafe sex practice. He added that among those tested HIV positive hardly 30-35 percent are women as mostly men transmit the disease to their wives", he added.