Addressing a program in the capital on Tuesday, Minister Chaudhary said that there are huge challenges facing the campaign against HIV despite the achievements made by the country in the last few years. "We are committed to end the AIDs epidemic by 2030 but the task is not so easy," Minister Chaudhary said. The government has committed to end AIDS epidemic by 2030 as a part of Sustainable Development Goals.The government data shows a decline in the HIV infection rate and AIDS related deaths in the country. However, out of an estimated 39,249 people infected with HIV across the country, only about 26,000 have been identified. Among them, only 11,098 have been receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
"Where are those remaining 13,000 HIV infected people?" Dr Senendra Raj Upreti, director general (DG) at the DoHS, questioned, adding that out of total estimated HIV infected population less than 30 percent has so far been identified yet.
Dr Upreti said that identifying those who are not yet diagnosed is a big challenge for the government and other stakeholders. Stigma and discrimination against HIV infected people still persists in the society, causing them to conceal their condition.
He said that undiagnosed HIV infected people pose a serious risk of transmission of the disease to others. The government spends about Rs 1 billion each year in the battle against HIV.
Speaking at the program, National Center for AIDs and STD Control (NCASC) Director Dr Dipendra Raman Singh claimed that the country has made a huge progress in the HIV sector despite having limited resources and enormous challenges.
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