Source: Radhika D Srivastava - TIMES NEWS NETWORK 
 
PATNA - 26 Oct: HIV/AIDS has suddenly become a talking point in the Bihar police. After a recent mass testing of 400 to 500 police employees, rumours are flying thick and fast on who all are HIV-positive.

Officially, about six constables have so far tested positive for HIV in the Patna police lines. But the grapevine has been agog with reports of some senior police officers too, testing positive.

The police and the state government have denied the rumours. But home commissioner Afzal Amanullah told TOI, "HIV is a matter of concern for us. We want to carry out tests on our police employees but will keep the identities of the positive persons confidential."

Amanullah, however, denied that he had confirmed the positive status of two senior officers, even though a news agency quoted him.

"Our testing will not be in isolation. We have made provision for providing anti-retroviral drugs to those who test positive so that the onset of full blown AIDS is delayed," he said.

He added that the force would ensure that those employees who have tested positive were not discriminated against.

"Wives of the HIV+ constables have also tested positive and arrangements have been made to provide them with ARV drugs as well," the home commissioner said.

Police lines hospital head Dr P Ojha on Wednesday said recent sample surveys in various districts had shown alarmingly high incidence of HIV in general population.

"This triggered an alarm in the police force and we started conducting voluntary tests," he said, adding, "Since an earlier health check up had found a high incidence of venereal diseases (VD) among police personnel, we were eager to carry out HIV tests as a person suffering from VD becomes more prone to contract HIV."

Ojha said a large number of police constables stay away from their families for months and are often posted in remote areas, thereby becoming prone to high risk behaviour changes.

"We intend to create awareness about HIV in the forces so that people come forward for tests and those who test positive can be provided timely treatment," he said.

Admitting that the awareness level on HIV is extremely low, especially among the junior police personnel, Dr Ojha said, "Our state is endemic to kala-azar which is known to suppress immunity of the infected persons. Such persons can easily fall prey to HIV, which further compromises the immune system."