HIV-AIDS concern: 2,473 pregnant women test positive in 5 years in Gujarat

As the world marks World AIDS Day on December 1, Gujarat’s latest HIV numbers raise serious concern.

A total of 90,000 HIV-positive patients are currently under treatment across the state. Over the past five years, 74.72 lakh pregnant women were screened and 2,473 were found HIV-positive, placing Gujarat’s prevalence rate at 0.18%, slightly below the national average of 0.20%.

AIDS in pregnant women of Gujarat

Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, and Jamnagar have been classified as high-priority zones. Gujarat has expanded its testing network to 261 ICTCs (Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre) and 2,466 FICTCs (Facility Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre), while 88 NGOs are engaged in awareness, condom distribution, and behavioural interventions among high-risk groups.

Health officials emphasise that HIV is now a chronic but manageable condition with regular medication. They also stress that the virus does not spread through casual contact, shared meals, swimming pools, or mosquito bites — a message that remains crucial to fighting stigma.

Globally, 3.99 crore people live with HIV, while India accounts for 25.44 lakh cases. The first HIV cases in the country were reported in 1986 in Chennai and Surat.

HIV positive cases in Gujarat

Source: National AIDS-STD Control Programme