Punjab Battles Rising HIV Infections Among Addicts

Punjab health authorities have ordered mandatory HIV screening for all drug addicts registered at Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centers statewide, commencing Monday. This proactive measure aims to curb a sharp rise in new HIV infections within the state. Punjab currently ranks second in India for new HIV infections, a concerning trend that has seen a 58.7% increase between 2010 and 2024.

The primary driver of these new infections is the use of injectable drugs, with a staggering 56% of newly detected HIV-positive cases linked to contaminated syringes. Health experts emphasize that shared needles not only increase HIV transmission risk but also that of Hepatitis B and C. Furthermore, impaired judgment from drug use can lead to unsafe sexual practices, heightening vulnerability.

This large-scale testing drive encompasses 455 operational OOAT centers and over 300,000 registered clients. Individuals found reactive during screening will undergo confirmatory tests and be connected to treatment. Those previously diagnosed with HIV but not undergoing treatment will be re-enrolled in Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) services. This comprehensive approach seeks to improve health outcomes and contain further spread.