1.14 lakh HIV patients receiving free care through 127 testing, 33 ART centres in Telangana: Health Minister
The Hindu
Telangana Health Minister says the State supports 1.14 lakh HIV patients with free care through extensive testing and ART centres
Telangana is currently providing medical services to 1.14 lakh people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through a network of 127 testing centres and 33 Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) centres across the State, Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha said on Thursday (April 9, 2026). Speaking at an awareness programme held at Durgam Cheruvu cable bridge in Hyderabad, the Minister said the government continues to offer free testing, treatment and medication to all patients.
The Minister added that stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV remain key challenges, driven largely by misinformation. Stressing the need for social acceptance, he said affected individuals must be treated with dignity and provided equal rights. He added that under the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, discrimination against such individuals is a punishable offence.
“The transmission occurs primarily through unprotected sexual contact and transfusion of contaminated blood,” he said clarifying that the virus does not spread through casual contact such as handshakes, hugging or sharing food.
He also highlighted that advances in treatment have significantly improved outcomes, with individuals living with HIV now able to lead normal lives for decades if diagnosed early and placed on proper treatment.
Calling for responsible behaviour among the youth, the Minister cautioned against substance abuse, particularly injectable drug use, which increases the risk of HIV transmission.
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