There has been a considerable decline in number of AIDS cases in Assam in the past two years.
According to reports, AIDS cases in Assam have dropped to 19,545 due to various initiatives taken by Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) to control the disease.
“As per India’s HIV Estimation 2019 report, the northeastern state (Assam) had 21,223 people living with HIV,” ASACS Assistant Director Rajib Sarma was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
HIV/AIDS rate of 0.09 per cent in Assam is lower than the national rate of 0.22 per cent, the official added.
Also read: Assam flood situation worsens: Death toll mounts to three, 5.74 lakh people affected
The Northeast states of Mizoram (2.32 per cent), Nagaland (1.45 per cent) and Manipur (1.18 per cent) have high rate of HIV/AIDS cases.
“To ensure Assam remains in the low prevalence category, ASACS took numerous steps for prevention and treatment of HIV,” Sarma said.
“ASACS has been able to identify 19,545 HIV positive cases at present with Kamrup Metropolitan district recording the maximum number of infections at 6596,” he added.