A worrying news has come out from Sitamarhi district of Bihar, which has shaken the health department. Media reports have claimed that the number of HIV positive patients in the district has reached close to 7,400. The most surprising thing is that every month 40 to 60 new patients are coming forward, due to which the situation has become even more serious.

According to reports, more than 400 minor children are among those infected. After this shocking revelation, there is chaos in the district administration, health department and hospitals. According to experts, this situation did not arise suddenly, rather the infection rate which had been increasing for a long time has now come to the fore in the form of an explosion.

Why did cases increase? Doctor told important reasons

Explaining the reason for this situation, Dr. Hasin Akhtar, Medical Officer of Sitamarhi Sadar Hospital, said that migration is very high in the district. He said that ‘Such a situation exists because we have a large number of migrant people who work in Delhi, Mumbai or anywhere else outside.’ Doctors say that many people get infected while working in big cities and then unknowingly spread the virus after returning home.

5,000 patients are taking treatment, many are getting treatment outside

At present, 5,000 patients are taking medicines regularly at the ART Center of Sitamarhi. The remaining patients are undergoing treatment outside Bihar – in Delhi, Mumbai or other states. Dr. Akhtar advised that all our positive patients should not marry negative ones.

How did more than 400 children get infected?

Reports say that HIV infection in minor children is mostly due to transmission from parents. This is called ‘perinatal transmission’ in medical science.

Administration will conduct HIV tests in every village in action mode

Considering the seriousness of the situation, the district administration has taken immediate steps. Awareness campaign is being intensified through ART Centre. Preparations have been made for HIV testing by going from village to village. Large scale awareness programs will be run at schools, panchayats and community level. The state government has been running AIDS awareness campaigns for years, but the rapidly increasing cases in Sitamarhi remain a matter of concern.