GS-3: Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology.

Key phrases - Hydrogen Sulphide, CART Therapy, Antiretroviral treatment, HIV

Why in news-

Scientists at IISC Bangalore suggest H2S can be used to combat HIV

Analysis:

What is HIV?

• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and disease
• HIV attacks CD4, a type of White Blood Cell (T cells) in the body’s immune system. T cells are those cells that move around the body detecting anomalies and infections in cells
• HIV is transmitted from person to person through bodily fluids including blood, semen, vaginal secretions, anal fluids and breast milk.
• Around 80% of people infected with HIV develop a set of symptoms known as Acute Retroviral Syndrome, around 2-6 weeks after the virus enters into body.

Status in India

• 38 million living with HIV ; 24 million receiving ART
• Short of 90-90-90 target set for 2020 -only 79% identified,62% on treatment-52% viral suppression. Target has been pushed by 5 years -Covid outbreak is complicating situation
• HIV related deaths declined by 71% between 20005 and 17
• Affects 22/10k Indians earlier it was figure of 38 in 2001
• 37% reduction in new infections-deaths fell by 45% due to ART
• The number of pregnant women living with HIV has reduced from 31,000 in 2010 to 20,000 in 2019.

Current treatment regime

• Anti-Retroviral Therapy: It is a combination of daily medications that stop the virus from reproducing. The therapy helps in protecting CD4 cells thus keeping the immune system strong enough to fight off the disease
• Stem Cell Transplant-Under this, an infected person is treated with stem cell transplant from donors carrying a genetic mutation that prevents expression of an HIV receptor CCR5.CCR5 is the most commonly used receptor by HIV-1. People who have mutated copies of CCR5 are resistant to HIV-1 virus strain.
• But all these treatments are only suppressive and cannot cure HIV.

Hope with this experimental therapy

• Increased H2S was found to have a direct effect on reducing the rate at which the virus multiplies in HIV-infected human immune cells
• Effects of counteracting oxidative stress by an antioxidant nanozyme during HIV infection
• Observed a direct effect of H2S on suppressing HIV reactivation and replication along with all its other beneficial effects, such as maintenance of mitochondrial health

India’s battle against HIV

• India aims to end HIV/AIDS by 2030 and is a signatory of UNAIDS programme 90-90-90 strategy by 2020.
• It is also enshrined in Government of India’s National Health Policy (NHP 2017)
• NACP national AIDS control programme is globally acclaimed as a success story. It was launched in 1992 as a comprehensive programme for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in India.
• Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act-it calls for a mandatory medical examination for the detection of HIV/AIDS among the victims of trafficking.
• HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017: It aims to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. It bans discrimination against the HIV/AIDS-infected individuals
• National Strategic Plan-Launched by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, its aim is to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030.
• Mission SAMPARK-It aims to trace those who are left to follow up. These individuals are brought under the ART services. This community-based testing will enable the identification of all those who are HIV positive

Issues faced

• Widespread stigma towards HIV-infected people despite the government measures. The marginalised are especially vulnerable, leading to them having limited to no access to medical treatment
• There is only limited awareness about the legal protection and government aids to the HIV-infected people.
• Women having limited to no say on negotiation for safer sex practice.
• Injecting drugs using HIV-contaminated equipment. It has caused the 9.9% of the HIV cases.
• Information dissemination reduced with improving survival rates
• Success achieved led to complacency-priorities of funding changed due to improving results

Way ahead

• Innovative policies must be executed for AIDS-infected children by integrating them with the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
• Anganwadi infrastructures must be improved to support these children and faculties working in these facilities must be provided with special training to prevent the spread of infection.
• Law enforcement agencies and the Police must coordinate with the medical community to ensure the drug addicts are not indulging in unsafe use of needles.
• Sex workers always face stigma in society, leading to them not having access to health facilities, councillors etc. Inclusive government policies must be implemented to address this issue.
• National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) Phase IV aims to diminish the new infections by 50% and provide comprehensive care, support and treatment to all those who are infected by AIDS/HIV
• Enhancing the investment in Community led responses: India has over 1500 community based organisations working as partners for National AIDS control organisation and joint UN programme on HIV/AIDS. Scaling up the investment can help them reach target population better and faster

Source: The Hindu

Mains question

Q. India after a tremendous success has seen a resurgence of HIV in the North-East. While discussing the probable reasons, outline the measures to control and reverse this trend. (15 Marks, 250 Words).