Bihar DIGs test positive for HIV

Bihar: They fight the Naxal menace, they have seen gangwars. Now, the Bihar Police is staring into the face of a new, dreaded enemy - one which exists within its own ranks - the HIV virus.

There are 20 reported cases of HIV positive patients in the Patna Police hospital. Concerned by the rising numbers of HIV cases in the state police force, doctors have forwarded some suggestions to headquarters.

They feel that all new recruits in the Bihar Police force should carry HIV negative certificates and that men presently serving in the force should undergo HIV tests. They also say that such tests should be carried out periodically.

Says police hospital doctor Dr P Ojha, "I have requested the authorities to make sure that all police officials undergo an HIV test. A complete health profile should be made necessary for all."

And the government is taking the issue quite seriously especially after the names of two senior DIG rank IPS officers figured in the list of HIV positive cases.

Says Bihar Home Secretary Afzal Amanullah, "Doctors have reported that there has been a considerable rise in HIV positice cases among officers, not only among those ranked lower and constables, but senior officials as well."

Blood samples of the two senior officers have been sent to leading laboratories in Delhi for further confirmation.

The problem lies not in the fact that two senior DIG rank officials have tested positive for HIV. The real problem lies in the fact that a large number of the police force has not undergone any test.

The real numbers of those suffering from the dreaded virus could be mind-boggling and the government's intervention is expected before the situation compeletly gets out of hand.

CHILLING FACTS

An estimated 5.21 million adults in India are living with HIV. Of them, over 38 per cent are females and 57 per cent are from a rural background. 90 per cent of the infected people do not know that they are infected. India holds the second largest absolute number of HIV infections.