Ganjam district in Odisha, once identified as a significant HIV hotspot with more than 1,000 people testing positive each year a decade ago, has demonstrated a remarkable turnaround with consistently declining positivity rates over recent years, particularly during the first ten months of 2025.
Steady Decline in HIV Positivity Rates
The statistical evidence reveals a compelling story of progress. According to official sources, the HIV positivity rate in Ganjam has shown a consistent downward trajectory, falling from 0.37% in 2020 to just 0.21% by October 2025. The year-by-year breakdown shows 0.25% in 2024, 0.26% in 2023, 0.35% in 2022, and 0.33% in 2021.
Between January and October 2 this year, 464 individuals tested positive out of 17,941 people screened. This represents a significant improvement compared to 2024, when 533 positive cases were detected from a much larger testing pool of 2,09,807 people.
Comprehensive District Statistics and Ongoing Challenges
The cumulative data reveals the scale of the HIV situation in Ganjam. The district has recorded 19,040 total HIV-positive cases until October this year, representing a substantial portion of Odisha's state total of 66,121 cases during the same period.
A detailed demographic breakdown shows that among the HIV-infected population in Ganjam district, 10,988 are males, 5,819 are females, 164 are transgender individuals, 992 are children, and 1,077 are pregnant women. Tragically, the AIDS-related death toll in Ganjam since 2020 stands at 1,880 people.
Multi-Pronged Approach Behind the Success
Rajendra Moharana, district manager of the AIDS prevention and control unit, attributed the declining positivity rate to comprehensive awareness campaigns and effective treatment programs for those already infected. "Awareness campaigns and treatment of HIV-infected people are mainly behind declining positivity of HIV-positive cases," Moharana stated.
Recognizing the vulnerability of young people, the district administration has implemented targeted interventions. "Since young people are vulnerable to contracting the virus, we visit colleges and disseminate messages through social media. The Red Ribbon Clubs have been set up in 110 government and private colleges to create awareness among youths," he explained.
The support extended to people living with HIV includes coverage under various government welfare schemes. Significant numbers have benefited from Madhubabu Pension Yojana (14,874 recipients), free bus passes (2,933), Antodaya Anna Yojana (265), and Mo Kudia Yojana (273).
Remaining Concerns and Future Focus
Despite the encouraging trends, concerns remain. Lok Nath Mishra, an activist with several years of experience working in HIV/AIDS in the district, highlighted that Ganjam still accounts for approximately 28% of Odisha's total HIV cases, the highest proportion in the state.
Mishra pointed to specific gaps in the current approach: "Though the government has reached out for testing of pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission, it is still lagging behind in reaching migrant labourers and young people, considered potential HIV carriers." This observation underscores the need for more targeted interventions among these high-risk groups to sustain and accelerate the positive trend.
The progress in Ganjam district represents a significant public health achievement, demonstrating how coordinated efforts combining awareness, testing, treatment, and social support can effectively combat HIV transmission even in previously high-prevalence areas.
