Public health alarms are ringing in Bihar as HIV infections surge, placing 13 districts in high-risk categories with Patna at the forefront. The issue dominated proceedings in the legislative council, where nine members urged a definitive government roadmap for containment and care.
Rapid case growth stems from unprotected sex and injection drug use, hitting youth hardest. Muzaffarpur trails Patna in severity among hotspots. By December 2025, 97,000+ patients access therapy at 32+ ART centers.
Anticipatory actions feature special camps pre-Holi and five additional ART units at AIIMS Patna, IGIMS, NMCH et al., totaling over 34. Fresh data is imperative given lags in some areas.
Authorities detailed strategies mirroring NACO’s 95:95:99 cascade: detect 95%, treat 95%, suppress virus in 99% of high-risk cases. ART delivery and reviews form the backbone.
186 ICTCs deliver gratis counseling/testing. Field-level ops include health camps, mobile units, and seasonal migrant screenings at transport hubs and villages. Holi mobilization: 300 camps province-wide, February 24 to March 14.
Case distribution: Patna 8,270, Gaya 5,760, Muzaffarpur 5,520, Sitamarhi 5,026, Begusarai 4,716, Bhagalpur 3,078. State tally: 144,000 AIDS cases.
Social Welfare’s Bihar Shatabdi scheme disburses Rs 1,500/patient/month, Rs 1,000/child (up to two under 18). Rs 63.81 crore transferred in 2025-26 till December.
Turning the tide in Bihar requires integrated efforts in surveillance, intervention, and welfare to protect communities from this relentless threat.