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A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Epidemiology has identified 54 high-priority districts in South India grappling with a substantial burden of HIV, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions and resource allocation.
According to the findings, India had an estimated 25.44 lakh people living with HIV (PLHIV) in 2023. Of these, the five South Indian states accounted for approximately 6.35 lakh PLHIV, with Karnataka (2.80 lakh), Tamil Nadu (1.69 lakh), and Telangana (1.58 lakh) together constituting nearly 24% of the national HIV burden.
The 2023 district-level HIV estimation revealed that these 54 high-priority districts—spread across the southern states and union territories—were home to 77% of the region’s PLHIV, 43% of annual new infections, and 65% of the total need for elimination of vertical transmission (EVTH)-related services. In 2023 alone, India reported 68,450 new HIV infections, with Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu contributing to 11.5% of these new cases.
A particular area of concern is the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV (from mother to child). The study estimated that 19,960 pregnant women across India required related services in 2023, with 17 districts in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana recording higher service needs for EVTH interventions.
Experts stress that these findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen existing prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies, especially in the most at-risk areas, to accelerate progress toward the national goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
“These findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen existing prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies and to focus efforts in the most at-risk areas to accelerate progress toward the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.”
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information from ICMR and the National Institute of Epidemiology as reported by The Week and other official sources. The data and interpretations are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. For personal health concerns or HIV-related guidance, please consult qualified healthcare professionals.
