In a worrisome trend, the state of Maharashtra has experienced a 33% increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during the 2022-23 period. Data from the Maharashtra State Aids Control Society (MSACS) indicates that 1 lakh STI cases were reported in this period, compared to 75,713 in 2021-22, showing a significant rise from the 76,038 cases in 2020-21. Activists point to the lack of free condoms and testing kits in the state program for over seven months as a contributing factor. Some NGOs report not receiving condoms, meant for distribution in hotspots, for over a year.
“The surge in sexually transmitted infections demands urgent attention. The unavailability of crucial resources may contribute to the increase in new cases and STIs,” emphasized HIV activist Ganesh Acharya. Activists stress the importance of promoting safe sex practices, highlighting Mumbai’s data, which reveals that 96% of new infections result from unsafe sex, while 3% are transmitted from an infected mother to her baby. An official from MSACS mentioned that individuals with STIs have a higher risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV by 5 to 10 times. He acknowledged that the rise in cases might be partly attributed to the normalization of testing services post-pandemic. Before the pandemic, the state reported 1.1 lakh cases in 2020-21 and 1 lakh cases in 2018-19.
Vijay Nayar of NGO Udaan expressed concern about the national AIDS program facing shortages of condoms, testing kits, and even medicines in several areas. Many NGOs reported not receiving funds for over five months. He highlighted apprehensions about achieving the Centre’s goal to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, which requires meeting the 95-95-95 targets by 2025—ensuring 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% are receiving treatment, and 95% have suppressed viral loads.