Lok Sabha Question No. 4623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Mandatory HIV/AIDS Test for Pregnant Women
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4623 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD MARCH, 2018

## MANDATORY HIV/AIDS T EST FOR PREGNANT WOM EN

## 4623. SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO: DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: SHRI SATAV RAJEEV: SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether one  of  the  major  reasons  of  HIV  transmission  in  the  country  is  through  mother  to  b transmission;

(b)  if  so,  the  details  of  pregnant  women  tested  along  with  the  number  of  them  diagnosed  wit HIV/AIDS during each of the last three years and the cur ren  year especially Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu;

(c) whether the Government has mandated HIV/AID S test, if so, the details thereof;

(d) the number of cases of Mother - toChild transmission of HIV/AIDS virus reported in the country during the last three y ears and the current year; and

(e)  whether  there  is  a  gap  between  HIV/AIDS  infected  children  and  such  infected  children  who getting treatment, if so, the details thereof and the other measures taken/proposed to be tak Government to curb MTCTHIV transmission and to reduce the stigma associated with such mothers and children in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a):      No .
- (b): Does not arise .
- (c): No .

(d) :The total number of cases of Mother to Child transmission of HIV/AIDS virus among children (0 - 14 years) reported in the country in the last three years and current year till January 2018 is at Annexure.

(e):   Yes, there is a gap of about 15.9% between HIV/AIDS infected children and those who are g treatment.  This is because of the eligibility criteria for initiation of Antiretroviral therapy the 'Test and Treat Policy' was implemented . The programme is trying to bridge this gap by reaching out to the children through 'Mission Sampark'.

NACO undertakes multimedia campaigns which include mass media supported by outdoor media such  as  hoardings,  bus  panels,  information  kiosks,  folk performances  and  exhibition  vans  to  reduce stigma and discrimination at health care settings and communities, across the country.

## Annexure

## The number of cases of Mother to Child transmission of HIV/AIDS virus reported in the country

| Year                  | Number of cases of Mother to Child transmission of HIV/AIDS (< 14years)   |
|-----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2014-15 8,165         |                                                                           |
| 9,286                 | 2015-16                                                                   |
| 8,540                 | 2016-17                                                                   |
| 2017-18 (till Jan 18) | 6,637                                                                     |