Residents of Delhi at 'high risk' of infection

11/07/2008

People living in the Indian capital city, Delhi, are at a heightened risk of contracting HIV/Aids, it has been claimed.

Delhi has relatively few HIV/Aids sufferers - with just 32,000 of its 16 million inhabitants carrying the virus - but according to the Delhi State Aids Control Society (Delhi SACS) the city is primed for an explosion in cases.

"Though Delhi is low HIV prevalence state, it is highly vulnerable to the deadly disease as the high-risk population is spread across the city," commented B S Banerjee, project director of Delhi SACS.

He noted that at least one million people living in the metropolis are considered to be among the most at-risk segments of society, including prostitutes, drug users and long-distance drivers.

Alluding to the government's current policy of offering free antiretroviral drugs to HIV carriers in the city, Mr Banerjee explained that anyone who could potentially benefit from the treatment should visit a health clinic.

"We know the antiretroviral treatment is costly but let me clarify that all HIV-positive [people] who come to us get free medication," he affirmed. "Currently over 6,000 are availing ART treatment in Delhi."

Overall, however, health experts concur that providing treatment to sufferers offers little in the way of a long-term reduction in cases - something that only preventative measures can achieve.

"We should meet more often to exchange views and learn from each other," asserted Vladimir Shreter, head of the Russia n Information Centre which is coordinating anti-Aids efforts with Delhi SACS.

"The Indian government has realised the magnitude of the problem, but just free medication cannot help the cause."


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