Haryana Introduces Dual HIV and Syphilis Testing for Pregnant Women

Q: How many tests will be conducted annually?

Approximately **12 lakh** dual HIV-syphilis tests will be conducted each year.

Original: Haryana to roll out dual HIV–syphilis testing for pregnant women, spouses

Hindustan Times•Apr 5, 20262 min

In a Nutshell

Haryana, India, is set to implement simultaneous HIV and syphilis testing for pregnant women and their spouses to prevent mother-to-child transmission. The initiative aims to conduct nearly 12 lakh tests annually, with a target of screening 5,95,880 women by 2025-26.

Key Points

01Haryana will conduct dual HIV-syphilis tests for pregnant women and spouses.
02The initiative aims to screen 5,95,880 women by 2025-26.
03Approximately 12 lakh tests will be performed annually.
04A new web-based platform for follow-up reminders will be developed.
05A budget of ₹47.16 crore has been approved for the HIV/AIDS action plan.

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Full Summary

Haryana's health department is launching a dual testing program for HIV and syphilis among pregnant women and their spouses, aiming to enhance early detection and prevent mother-to-child transmission of these infections. The initiative, announced by Sumita Misra, the additional chief secretary (ACS) of health, will target screening 5,95,880 women by the year 2025-26. To achieve this, the state plans to perform nearly 12 lakh tests each year. The tests will utilize point-of-care immunoassays that provide results in under 20 minutes from a single blood sample. Additionally, a secure web-based platform for voice messages and SMS alerts for individuals living with HIV will be established. The ACS also revealed that a budget of ₹47.16 crore has been allocated for the HIV/AIDS action plan for the financial year 2026-27. Furthermore, a second HIV viral load laboratory will open in Panchkula soon, improving the testing capacity for the region.

Key Figures

₹47.16 crore

Approved budget for the HIV/AIDS action plan for 2026-27

5,95,880

Target number of pregnant women to be screened by 2025-26

12 lakh

Number of dual tests to be conducted annually

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Why It Matters

This initiative will enhance healthcare access for pregnant women, improving maternal and child health outcomes by preventing the transmission of HIV and syphilis.

Who is affected

Pregnant women and their spouses in Haryana, healthcare providers.

What to know

Pregnant women and their partners should participate in the testing program to ensure early detection and treatment.

FAQ

The program aims to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis and facilitate early detection.

Approximately 12 lakh dual HIV-syphilis tests will be conducted each year.

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