HIV prevalence in Telangana down; expanded testing, ART push State toward 2030 AIDS-free goal

The Telangana State AIDS Control Society (TGSACS) has reported that a series of improvements in testing, treatment, social support and community outreach have helped the State move closer to stabilising Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as a chronic, manageable illness. The society has been implementing interventions in line with the national goal of eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

With December 1 observed as World AIDS Day, the latest data reflects that the adult HIV prevalence rate in Telangana has decreased from 0.44% in 2023 to 0.41% in 2025, reflecting a 58% reduction in new HIV infections. The State has also recorded steady progress under the global UNAIDS 95-95-95 framework which aims to ensure that 95% of all people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those who are aware of their status are on Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) and 95% of those receiving treatment achieve viral suppression. Telangana has set a target of 1,56,961 individuals for this goal, of whom 1,43,173, or 91.2%, have been covered so far.

“This is due to the continuous expansion of HIV testing services across all districts, community outreach through civil society groups and health facilities and extended access through mobile testing units and targeted intervention sites,” said TGSACS director Vasam Venkateshwar Reddy.

The programme has also seen progress in reducing HIV-related mortality. Improved adherence to antiretroviral therapy, better access to CD4 and viral load testing, and strengthened management of opportunistic infections have helped prevent many cases from reaching critical stages. Between 2023 and 2024, the State recorded a decline of 977 deaths, representing an approximate 16.5% reduction. A further decline of 193 deaths has been recorded between 2024 and 2025 to date, amounting to about 3.9%.

“District-level outreach and prevention activities, along with awareness among youth, workers, students and women’s groups, have contributed to safer practices and early detection. Regular condom distribution, strengthened STI [Sexually Transmitted Infection] clinic services, and information and communication programmes have supported the overall reduction in new infections,” added Mr. Reddy.

A total of 22 government ART centres and eight private hospital ART centres are currently operating, with improved medicine availability, counselling services and laboratory facilities. Large-scale community awareness programmes have helped drive the progress.

Testing coverage has exceeded annual targets during 2023 to 2025. Statewide drives screened 8,21,508 general and antenatal care samples, out of which 5,517 individuals were identified as HIV positive. Social protection measures have also expanded under the Cheyutha support programme. The scheme’s financial assistance coverage reached 34,656 beneficiaries in 2023, 35,547 in 2024, and 45,374 beneficiaries in 2025 till date.