World AIDS Day: New Infection To Be Made Zero In Odisha By 2030, Says Minister

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is taking concrete steps to achieve its aim of ensuring new AIDS infection in the state to zero by 2030, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion of World AIDS Day, the Minister said that the state is witnessing a steady decline in the number of AIDS patients and the government aims at achieving zero new infection by 2030.

Noting that there are around 50,000 active AIDS cases in the state at present, he said Ganjam district accounts for the highest number of cases at over 20,000, while Sonepur reports the lowest with only 150 cases. However, some cases remain undetected in different parts of the state, he said.

Stating that the Health Department has intensified efforts to ensure no new AIDS cases emerge by 2030, the Minister said the government is implementing preventive measures and raising awareness to achieve this goal, the minister said.

The Minister further stated that the state government will appoint 250 radiographers in government hospitals as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. They are expected to bring significant improvements in diagnostic services, he said, adding that plans are also afoot to announce more positions in the near future.