Post News Network
Chhatrapur, June 18: Ganjam district has highest number of HIV positive cases in the state. Since 2000, about 12,866 such cases have been detected while 1,848 people have already died of AIDS in the district so far.
This was revealed during a meeting held Thursday at the conference hall of the Collectorate here by District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee. Additional district magistrate Saroj Mishra presided over in the meeting.
According to official records, while Aska block of the district tops the chart with 978 HIV positive cases, Jagannathprasad ranks at bottom with 142 cases. Similarly, the number of cases in other blocks is – 972 in Polasara, 893 in Beguniapada, 885 in Purushottampur, 704 in Khallikote, 649 in Hinjlli, 575 in Kabisuryanagar, 557 in Belaguntha, 552 in Sheragarh, 501 in Bhanjanagar, 445 in Rangeilunda, 435 in Buguda, 416 in Dharakote, 395 in Sanakhemundi, 395 in Digapahandi, 387 in Chhatrapur, 326 in Sorada, 306 in Kukudakhandi, 223 in Chikiti, 215 in Ganjam and 211 in Patrapur. However, unofficial sources claimed it to be much higher.
Of the HIV positive victims, 57 per cent are woman, 36 per cent men and rest are children. It was revealed in the review meeting that AIDS related tests are not being conducted regularly in the district and mobile ICTCs (Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre) are also not in operation. The committee members attributed lack of awareness among people for it.
On the other hand, it was found that the operation of seven ICTC mobile vans which was given by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been stopped due to staff crunch. The Central government has stopped the grant for the project and vacancies can’t be filled up, members said.
Ajay Kumar Tripathy, a member of the body laid emphasis on proper counseling while ADM Mishra said the migrant population should also be made aware of the programme. It was learnt that the AIDS victims have been included in Madhubabu Pension Scheme while many of them are yet to be part of Antyodaya and Mo Kudia Yojana of the state. HIV testing kits are not available in City Hospital of Berhampur in the absence of coolers and freezers, members said.
Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) secretary and Red Cross Secretary Dipti Mohapatra expressed concerned over the fact that the health department doesn’t pay heed for the management of Shradhha Sanjivani, an organisation which houses the HIV affected children. About one lakh a month is spent for the management of this Red Cross-run organisation, Mohapatra informed.
Among others, CDMO Dr Mrutyunjay Mishra, ADMO Dr Pitambar Dash, district labour officer Dipti Ranjan Mohanty and Dr Sanjay Kumar Patnaik of OSACS were present during the meeting.
