Tripura Health Minister raises concern over increasing HIV cases

Sudip Roy Barman, the Tripura Health Minister, has expressed concern over the increasing number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection cases, particularly in three northeastern states- Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur.

While attending an awareness campaign against HIV- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) organised by the Tripura AIDS Control Society (TACS) on the eve of World AIDS Day, the minister said, "It is a matter of concern because when the overall number of HIV infected persons in the country is declining, there is a spurt in the number of infected persons in Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram."

He asserted that keeping this in view, the government of Tripura has declared a war against HIV- AIDS. Barman further said a massive campaign has been launched and the government is hopeful that in the coming years, things will be reversed. The Minister added that in order to stop the disease from spreading, special measures have been taken in the State.

India is among the top three countries with the highest number of HIV cases, alongside South Africa and Nigeria. The Indian government spends about one per cent of its GDP on healthcare facilities, much less than some African countries, forcing millions to struggle to get medicines.