HIV spreading its reach in rural Goa

HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 25
Though majority of the HIV/AIDS cases detected are from four coastal talukas in Goa, the number of cases reported from other talukas have shown a gradual increase, which only signifies that the virus has made inroads into interiors of Goa.
Since detection of the first HIV case in Goa, in 1987, the spread of the virus was more or less predominant in Mormugao, Salcete, Tiswadi and Bardez. However, other talukas are no more immune to spread of HIV/AIDS, as cases reported from Ponda, Bicholim, Canacona, Pernem, Sanguem and also Quepem, have increased in the last few years.
Speaking to Herald on Wednesday Dr Pradeep Padwal, Project Director of Goa States AIDS Control Society (GSACS) told that HIV/AIDS is not limited to the four coastal talukas and virus has reached interiors of the State.
According to GSACS about 32 per cent of HIV cases detected in Goa are from Mormugao and Salcete, another 25 per cent from Bardez and Tiswadi. However, percentage of HIV cases detected in other talukas such as Ponda, Pernem, Canacona, Quepem and Bicholim, have increased in the last 20 years.
In 1987, just two cases were detected in Canacona and the number remained to a single digit for the next few years, but since 2004 there has been gradual increase in HIV positive cases detected. About 17 cases of HIV were reported from Canacona, in 2004, and by 2007 end number went up to 29.
Pernem, too, had relatively few cases in the initial years but during the last five years, cases detected have shot up. While 33 cases were reported from Pernem in 2006, in 2007 cases were a little over 24.
Two remote talukas of the State, Sanguem and Quepem, have also shown a rising trend in HIV cases reported in the last few years. While only 3 HIV positive cases were reported from Sanguem in 1998, the count reached 26 by the year 2007.
Further, HIV positive cases detected among migrants have also gradually increased. While 76 HIV positive cases were detected in 1987, the number rose to 223 cases in 2007.
Overall, a total of 1029 HIV cases were detected in 2007 as against 940 in 2006.