Sexually Transmitted Infections Surge by 33 % in Maharashtra during 2022-23
Pune Pulse Sexually Transmitted Infections Surge by 33 % in Maharashtra during 2022-23
The Maharashtra state has experienced a 33% increase in STI cases in 2022–2023, which is a concerning development. According to data from the Maharashtra State Aids Control Society (MSACS), 1 lakh STI cases were diagnosed during this time, up from 75,713 in 2021–22—a significant increase over the 76,038 cases recorded in 2020–21.
A major portion of the blame, according to activists, is attributable to the state program’s prolonged lack of free condoms and testing kits for more than seven months.
Some NGOs have reported not getting any condoms, which are to be distributed freely in hotspots, for more than a year.
An activist stated that immediate action is necessary in response to the rise in sexually transmitted infections. The rise in new cases could be attributed to the unavailability of essential resources.
Some activists emphasized the significance of maintaining safe sexual practices, citing data from Mumbai that shows 3% of infections are passed from an infected mother to her child and 96% of new infections are still the result of unsafe sex.
According to an official of MSACS (Maharashtra State Aids Control Society), people who have sexually transmitted infections are five to ten times more likely to contract and spread HIV. However, he acknowledged that the post-pandemic normalization of testing services could be partially responsible for the rise in cases. The state had recorded 1.1 lakh cases in 2020–21 and 1 lakh cases in 2018–19 prior to the pandemic.
According to an NGO member, there is a severe lack of condoms, testing kits, and even medications in some areas of the national AIDS program. Also, a lot of NGOs have reported going more than five months without receiving funding.
He voiced concerns regarding the Center’s 2030 target to end the AIDS epidemic, which calls for achieving the 95-95-95 targets by 2025—that is, ensuring that 95% of HIV-positive individuals are aware of their status, 95% are receiving treatment, and 95% have suppressed viral loads.
