The government is committed to making Karnataka an AIDS-free State by 2030, says Dinesh Gundu Rao

By Admin

02 Dec, 2025

Karnataka has renewed its resolve to eliminate AIDS by 2030, with Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasizing the government’s dedication to this critical mission. Speaking at the World AIDS Day programme on December 1, the Minister urged all stakeholders health workers, institutions, community leaders, and citizens to join hands in achieving this goal and building a healthier, stigma-free society for everyone.

Rising Awareness and the Need for Timely Treatment
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Rao highlighted that since 2004, Karnataka has lost 1,16,200 people due to lack of timely and proper treatment. He stressed that HIV does not spread through casual interaction such as sharing food, cold, or cough, and called for greater compassion and acceptance for HIV-positive individuals. He reiterated their fundamental right to live with dignity and emphasized the importance of immediately starting Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to prevent the infection from progressing to AIDS.

Understanding Modes of Transmission
The Minister explained that the primary causes of HIV transmission include unsafe sexual practices, use of contaminated needles among drug users, and transmission from an infected mother to her baby. He also noted an increase in transmission through male-to-male sexual contact in recent years. This highlights the need for targeted awareness campaigns, especially among vulnerable groups.

Strengthening Awareness in High-Risk Areas
Calling for increased awareness efforts, Mr. Rao stressed focusing on areas with a high youth population, such as hostels and colleges, as well as localities with a higher concentration of sex workers. Educating these communities plays a vital role in prevention and early detection.

Expanding HIV Support & Infrastructure
Padma Basavanthappa, Project Director of the AIDS Prevention Society, shared details of the State’s extensive support network to aid HIV-positive individuals. Karnataka currently operates:

• 442 standalone Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres
• 94 fully functional ART centres located in district hospitals, several taluk hospitals, and private medical colleges
• 290 Link ART centres at taluk hospitals

She emphasized that the World AIDS Day theme this year focuses on ensuring accessible services for HIV-positive individuals while protecting them from stigma and discrimination.

Honouring Efforts and Spreading Awareness
To mark the event, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials were released, and individuals contributing to AIDS programmes were felicitated. A New Year calendar was unveiled by the blood donation camp team as part of the commemorations.

Earlier in the day, a public awareness march was flagged off from Kote Anjaneya Temple, led by MLA K. Harish Gowda, MLC C.N. Manje Gowda, District Health Officer Dr. P.C. Kumaraswamy, MMC&RI Dean Dr. K.R. Drakshayini, District AIDS Programme Officer Dr. Mohammed Shiraj Ahmed, and other dignitaries.

With unified efforts, strategic awareness initiatives, and strengthened healthcare infrastructure, Karnataka is taking determined steps toward achieving its vision of becoming an AIDS-free State by 2030.