Health Experts Report A Sudden Surge In Sexually Transmitted Diseases In Maharashtra

The state health officials of Maharashtra revealed that the state recorded a 33 percent increase in incidents of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) between 2022 and 2023. Experts have reported this alarming surge in STDs after carefully examining the data from the Maharashtra State Aids Control Society (MSACS). As per the data, around 1 lakh incidents of sexually transmitted infections were reported during this period, while nearly 75,713 cases of STIs were recorded between 2021 and 2022. Health experts say that the state program’s inability to provide free condoms and testing kits for over seven months has contributed to the surge in cases of sexually transmitted infections. Many non-profit organizations have been reporting that they have not been receiving the stocks of free condoms that are supposed to be distributed across areas where sexually transmitted infections are more prevalent.

Health experts say that instant action is essential in response to the surge in sexually transmitted infections. The unavailability of essential resources has triggered a spike in new cases of STDs. The state data shows that around 3 percent of STD cases are transmitted through an infected mother to her child and around 96 percent of new cases are the outcome of unprotected sex. Health officials from Maharashtra State Aids Control Society say that individuals who have sexually transmitted infections are at five times higher risk of contracting and spreading HIV. However, they also recognize that the post-pandemic standardization of screening services might be partly responsible for the surge in STI cases.

According to some officials of NGOs working for HIV awareness and prevention, there is a serious scarcity of condoms, screening kits, and even medications in some regions that are covered under the national AIDS program. Many NGOs have reported that they have not been receiving funds from the authorities for over five months to run their HIV awareness and prevention programs smoothly. Considering the current situation, many health experts have voiced their concerns regarding the central government’s 2030 target to eradicate the AIDS epidemic.