HIV screenings by the Mumbai District Aids Control Society (MDACS) at railway stations in Mumbai in December, have helped find 88 people living with the infection. They have been put on Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART).

On the occasion of ‘World HIV Day’ on December 1, MDACS had organised many events to spread awareness among about the disease. One such event was organised at major railway stations in the city where travellers could come voluntarily and get tested. The testing counters were placed at nine prominent railway stations including Andheri, Bandra, Borivli, CSMT,  Dadar, Ghatkopar, Kurla, Mankhurd and Wadala. Additional Project Director of MDACS Dr Vijay Karanjkar said, “We had organised a 10-day screening programme at major railway stations in December. Mumbaikars responded enthusiastically. A total of 29,314 people went through testing and 88 (0.3%) people were found positive, which is equal to the Maharashtra state positivity rate. These people were unaware that they had the infection. All those positive people have been put on ART. Early diagnosis helps to prevent the spread of disease and timely treatment can lead to a healthy life.”