50 pc decline in new HIV infections: Sheila Dikshit

There has been a 50 per cent reduction in new HIV infections in the city in the last eleven years, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said today.
"The HIV infection has come down by 50 per cent between April 2002 and March 2013," she said.
The Chief Minister, quoting official figures, said due to consistent efforts of the city government, the death rate of HIV-infected people has come also down by 33 per cent in the last eleven years compared to figures in the previous period.
While giving the figures, Dikshit, however, did not give the previous figures based on which the reduction in percentage of infected as well as of those died was calculated.

Appreciating efforts of Delhi State Aids Control Society (DSACS) to contain the disease, she said during April, 2002 to March 2003, a total of 16,598 youths were tested out of which 393 (2.36 per cent) were found to be HIV infected
During April, 2012 to March, 2013 78,785 youths were tested out of which 937 (1.19 per cent) were found infected, she said.

Listing efforts by health department to help the HIV-infected people, she said Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) is being provided at nine centres across the city which has resulted in decrease in death rate.
"There has been 33 per cent reduction in HIV related deaths during April, 2008 to March, 2013," she said.

She said 1,872 people were under treatment at ART centres between April, 2008 to March 2009 out of which 345 had died. A total of 4,213 patients were under treatment at ART centres out of which 524 died during April, 2012 to March, 2013.
Dikshit said a total of 13,044 people were provided free ART in the last 11 years which included 766 children.
"Further, the city government has been implementing various welfare schemes for people living with HIV/AIDS. The financial assistance is being provided under four categories," she said.
The persons with HIV infection and under treatment at ART centres for more than one year and whose family income is less than Rs one lakh per annum are being given monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000.

"The number of beneficiaries under this category are 1083," Dikshit said.
Five infected orphan children staying under government care are getting monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,050 per month.
"These children would be getting the assistance of Rs 2,050 per month till they attain the age of 18 years. After attaining 18 years of age, they will be given assistance under adult category," Dikshit said.