MARGAO: The first case of HIV was detected in Goa in the year 1987. Data available with medical agencies reveal that today, officially in the state, there are more than 14,000 people affected with HIV/AIDS. However, sources said the real figures of those affected could be much higher.They said many patients — as many as 4000 to 5000 — are treated by private doctors and so are not officially registered as AIDS patients.
Some doctors said that awareness campaigns on AIDS are paying off as detection of new cases is on the decline and people are taking necessary precautions. However, a doctor who has put in much efforts to educate the people on the dreaded disease said, “Despite all our efforts, the HIV infection is spreading its tentacles and is prevalent in all parts of Goa. It is prevalent equally among the rich and poor, literate and illiterate. The majority of the cases are reported in the four coastal talukas — Salcete, Mormugao in South Goa and in Tiswadi and Bardez in North Goa.”"AIDS is one of the greatest challenges facing our generation today. However, it is preventable by adopting a health conscious attitude. Awareness through counselling and others means is conducted in these talukas with the assistance of several NGOs.The governing body, executive committee and core committee of the Goa State AIDS Control Society, with like-minded people are doing a pretty good job,” the doctor said.
Sources disclosed that Mormugao has 20 per cent of the total HIV cases, while Salcete has 13.8 per cent. Tiswadi has 9 per cent and Bardez has 15.5 per cent of the total number of cases on record. The sources said that in the last 23 years, nearly 2000 people from Salcete have been affected by the HIV/AIDS virus.
In 2010, there were around 100 deaths due to complications arising out of HIV/AIDS. However, in 2011, so far, only 50 AIDS deaths have been reported.Doctors treating these patients said that they maintain a high level of confidentiality as far as their patients are concerned, basically due to the social stigma attached to the disease.”Pre-test and post-test counselling sessions are conducted and later, convincing sessions are held with the patients. A secret code is given to every patient while he or she is being examined,” said a doctor treating the HIV patients.
Sources in the directorate of health services and AIDS cell, informed that they covered the population which is presently at risk of infection at different areas, with HIV screening and other prevention measures.
Most of the affected try to keep the HIV virus dormant and prevent it from developing into full-blown AIDS, as that would mean the end of life. They try to do this with the use of costly medicines, sometimes even borrowing money to pay for medicines.
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