Bihar is facing a burgeoning HIV epidemic, with 13 districts marked as high-risk and the capital Patna bearing the brunt with over 8,000 cases. This public health emergency was thrust into the spotlight by nine legislative council members who sought urgent governmental intervention.
The members detailed a sharp uptick in infections, attributing it mainly to unprotected sex and needle-sharing among drug users, especially young people. Muzaffarpur stands out as the second-most affected high-risk district. Treatment numbers have soared, with more than 97,000 patients registered at over 32 ART centers by late 2025.
Government measures include pre-Holi screening camps and the addition of five new ART facilities at premier institutions like AIIMS and IGIMS in Patna, pushing the count beyond 34. Yet, legislators stressed the urgency of current data, as some figures lag years behind.
Responding in the house, officials outlined alignment with NACO’s ambitious 95:95:99 goals—95% identification, 95% treatment initiation, and 99% viral suppression among high-risk populations. This involves intensive detection, rapid ART provision, and ongoing monitoring.
Support infrastructure spans 186 ICTCs offering free services. Grassroots efforts encompass mobile screening units, health melas, and festival-specific camps for migrants. A massive Holi drive plans 300 camps across districts from February 24 to March 14 at key transit points and villages.
Breaking down the numbers: Patna’s 8,270 cases dwarf others, followed by Gaya (5,760), Muzaffarpur (5,520), Sitamarhi (5,026), Begusarai (4,716), and Bhagalpur (3,078). Statewide, 144,000 individuals are AIDS-afflicted.
Aid flows through the Social Welfare Department’s Bihar Shatabdi scheme: Rs 1,500 monthly per patient and Rs 1,000 per eligible child. In 2025-26, up to December, Rs 63.81 crore has reached beneficiaries directly.
This multifaceted response signals commitment, but experts call for accelerated action to stem the tide and ensure equitable access to care in Bihar’s vulnerable regions.