Revised Indian HIV figure should 'change approach' to fighting disease

Recent figures published reducing the number of people estimated to be infected with HIV in India should change the country's approach to combating the disease, a new report has claimed.

Last week figures published by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS estimated there were 2.5 million Indians living with HIV, less than half the number previously thought, and experts from the George Institute India believe this has several implications.

Writing in journal the Lancet they call for a change to the way India compiles its annual estimate of the number of people infected with HIV/AIDS.

They also highlighted the need for a focus on high-risk groups, as well as improved testing, counselling and blood transfusion safety to help prevent a dramatic increase in the prevalence of the disease.

Professor Lalit Dandona, lead author of the report, said: "The new figures show the projected number of people needing HIV treatment over the next decade, and the associated resources needed, will be less than previously anticipated."

The new figures published also revealed that Indians with HIV are now surviving longer, with people living with the disease for 11 years before treatment, compared to nine years in the same survey in 2006, Top News reported.

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