Mapping & population-size estimation of HRG for HIV begins in Aizawl
Aizawl, 31st July, 2020: Mapping and Population Size Estimation (pMPSE), a programme initiated by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to estimate the high risk group for HIV in the country, has been launched in Aizawl district on Friday.
Mapping and population size estimation programme of HIV high risk group like Female Sex Workers (FSW), Men having sex with men (MSM) and Injected Drug Users (IDU) for Aizawl district was launched by Aizawl District Additional Deputy Commissioner K Vanlalruati at a function held here.
Vanlalruati pointed out that Community Advisory Board involving Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), Aizawl District Superintendent of Police, Civil Societies (YMA, MHIP, etc.), Community Members and Parents along with Aizawl City Local Council Association was set up under District AIDS Control Officer (DACO) to execute the mapping programme.
She said similar programmes have been launched in other districts of the state. Following the successful implementation of the same programme as a pilot project in Mamit last year, NACO leh Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) decided to launch Mapping and population size estimation programme of HIV high risk group for the whole country.
Testing of blood samples for HIV could not be expedited during the current fiscal due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Out of the 684 IDUs, whose blood samples were tested during this year, 26 were found infected with HIV while none of the samples of 21 FSW and 108 MSM were found positive for HIV, sources added.
Till June this year, at least 5,000 Injecting Drug Users has been identified in Aizawl district alone, 583 Men having sex with men and 252 female sex workers.