Sushil Goyal, Tribune News Service
Bathinda, November 27 Steps taken by various agencies to spread awareness about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) have failed to deliver the desired results in Bathinda, something that can be gauged from the sharp rise in the number of cases in the district.
While 150 HIV positive cases were detected in the district last year, the count has reached 210 in 11 months this year.
According to information, 179 HIV positive cases were detected at the Integrating Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) in Bathinda. Twenty-four cases were detected by the ICTCs situated at Rampura and Talwandi Sabo. The rest were reported to the ICTC by various hospitals and health centres situated at Bhucho, Nathana and Goniana.
Six deaths of HIV/AIDS patients — three each reported by the ICTCs at Bathinda and Rampura — have also been reported this year. The figure stood at five last year.
Meanwhile, sources said there may be more HIV cases in the district, which could not be detected so far as they were not facing any health problems. These undetected cases would come to the fore once they are referred by medical practitioners for the diseases after their blood samples are tested.
