Government plans to set up counselling and testing services for HIV/AIDS at major sea ports for the prevention and management of the disease.
"Government proposes to provide counselling and testing services for HIV in major sea ports and surrounding areas for prevention and management of HIV/AIDS/STI," Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad informed the Lok Sabha today.
In a written reply, the Minister said, "presently, there is no such proposal with regard to airports or minor sea ports."
Azad said the Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed an MoU with the Ministry of Shipping on February 14, 2013 for the purpose.
As per the MoU, the Ministry of Shipping will make available their health infrastructure and human resources at major sea ports for the prevention and management of STI/HIV/AIDS.
New HIV cases among adults have declined by half in India since 2000, according to a new UN report.
The prevalence of HIV/AIDS has dipped to 0.31 per cent with an estimated 2.7 million Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in India.
As per recent HIV Estimations 2012, the overall HIV prevalence among adults in India in 2011 is low at 0.27 per cent, Azad said.
He also listed out a host of programmes, including the Red Ribbon Express to create awareness about HIV/AIDS and stop its spread.
