47 people lost lives in 17 years in Tripura
By Firstdespatch Desk Jul 11, 2024
Agartala, July 11 (FD) Tripura governments has denied a press report about death in AIDS in the state and clarified that a total of 828 students in Tripura have tested HIV positive and 47 have lost lives over a period of 17 years (from April, 2007 to May, 2024).
The National AIDS Control Programme was launched in Tripura in April 1999. Over the past 25 years, the Tripura State AIDS Control Society has worked to control the spread of HIV according to guidelines set by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO). Recently, a report circulated in the media stating that 828 students in Tripura have tested HIV positive and 47 of them have died. This report is misleading. It is important to note that these numbers are cumulative over a period of 17 years (April 2007 to May 2024) and all 828 students have received / receiving free AntiRetroviral Treatment (ART) as per NACO guidelines. Unfortunately, 47 of them have passed away during this time.
Dr. Samarpita Dutta, Project Director of Tripura State AIDS Control Society has given this information in a Press Release.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who is also the health minister of the state in a face book post said, “The Government of Tripura has been taking various measures to prevent the spread of HIV/ AIDS in the State. It has come to our notice that some recent media reports have led to misgivings on the number of infected students & fatalities. It has been clarified by the department concerned that a total of 828 students in Tripura have tested HIV positive and 47 have lost lives over a period of 17 years (from April, 2007 to May, 2024).
All affected students have received or have been receiving free Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) as per the NACO guidelines”. FD JK