HIV care: Karnataka bags top spot

BENGALURU: When it comes to providing care, support and treatment to HIV patients, Karnataka has been adjudged the best performer among states with a high HIV burden. The state receieved awards under two categories: Best performance and Innovation and state initiative.
Dr Suresh Shastry, Joint director, health and family welfare department, received the award on behalf of the Karnataka government at Bhubaneswar in Odisha on January 15.
“Several unique initiatives taken up by Karnataka for providing care and support to HIV patients, including Link ART centre, care and support centres and continuous support for availability of preventive drugs, were appreciated ,” Dr Shastry said.
More than 3 lakh HIV patients are currently registered with the Karnataka State AIDS Control Society (KSACS), and 1.7 lakh of them are under active care.