Ranchi, Dec. 1: The number of HIV cases in the state has almost doubled in just a year. This was revealed on World AIDS Day by the Jharkhand State AIDS Control Society today.

According to the statistics available with the organisation, around 4,011 HIV cases were reported in the state this year. The figure was 2,700 last year. The most vulnerable districts are East Singhbhum, Giridih, Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Garhwa and Sahebganj.

The disease has spread at an alarming rate, as the patients do not have access to proper health facilities. Moreover, the symptoms are not visible before 8-10 years.

Project director Pradeep Kumar added that many Ranchi jawans have been diagnosed with HIV, but the figure has not been included in the official records. “While conducting campaigns in East and West Singhbhum, we came across several HIV-affected jawans from the CRPF camp. They met us personally and also participated in the seminar,” said state master trainer Manoj Kumar.

He said the prevalence of HIV was greater in the rural belt because of the migration of villagers to big cities, where they contract the disease. On returning home, these people fail to undergo HIV tests. Kumar added that more than 50 per cent of the population, falling in the age group of 15 to 24 years, are carriers of HIV.

“In India, around 4 crore people are affected with the disease,” he said.

“In an effort to sensitise the youth, we have formed red ribbon clubs in 100 colleges. Through these clubs, the students will educate the rural masses about this deadly disease,” said Kumar.

As such, a human chain was formed by members of the red ribbon clubs from Lalpur Chowk to Jail Road. Senior superintendent of police M.S. Bhatia distributed red ribbons among the students.

Several organisations took out rallies across the city while college students penned down slogans to spread the word. One such slogan doing the rounds was Hum kaam par jayenge pardesh, par lotenge bina AIDS ke (We will go out of the city for work, but will return without AIDS.)

World AIDS Day was also observed at Gandhinagar Hospital and Central Coalfields Limited. Various programmes were held.

A rally was flagged off by Mansingh, the CMO of Gandhinagar Hospital. Around 300 students of DAV Gandhinagar School, doctors and para-medical staff took part in it.

“A quiz and essay competition were also held at Gandhinagar Hospital and DAV Gandhinagar School,” a communiqué said.

At Nirmala College, the red ribbon club was inaugurated by principal Sister Pricilla to mark the occasion.