MP: Number of new HIV cases in transgender community rises

In an alarming development, 16 new cases of HIV infection -- twice the number last year -- have been detected in the transgender community in Madhya Pradesh till October.
The lack of awareness about dangers of unprotected sex and the AIDS are the major reasons for this increase in the number of new HIV cases among transgender persons, experts said.
According to the State AIDS Control Committee, 16 transgender persons were diagnosed with HIV till October this year. The number was eight last year.
Kalpana Bendwal, AIDS counsellor at the government-run Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital here, told PTI: "A very small number of eunuchs come to us for advice. There is a dire need to increase the awareness about the AIDS in the transgender community."

Risk of infection increases for the eunuchs involved in the flesh trade, she said.
Ajay Das, leader of Ujjain's Kinnar Akhada, a congregation of eunuchs, said the government should conduct an awareness campaign for the benefit of the transgender community.

He also demanded a special arrangement for the treatment of HIV-infected members of the community.
The State AIDS Control Committee data shows that between 2005 and October 2017, 53,899 cases of HIV infection were detected in Madhya Pradesh.
Gender-wise break-up of these cases is: 32,902 men, 20,835 women (including pregnant women) and 162 transgender persons.