Ketki Angre for NDTV

Mumbai, Nov 18: Even as Maharashtra's mandatory pre-marital HIV test debate is set to go to the Supreme Court, 2500 children in the state tested positive in a random one month survey conducted by the State.

The survey has come up with shocking statistics on how the virus is rampant amongst young children.

"We found that 2500 children were HIV positive. From what I have been told, this is a high number for any state for a random sample," said Dr V S Singh, Chief Secretary, Health.

The survey was conducted last month on a voluntary testing basis, including in districts of Sangli and Chandrapur where the prevalence of the virus is as high as 2-3 per cent.

Shocking numbers

Maharashtra has an estimated 8-10 lakh HIV positive persons and experts say the numbers are on the rise.

But the latest report has raised an alarm among those who are campaigning for mandatory pre-marital testing.

"These numbers are shocking. In this case, it's a random survey. If each and every child in a particular area was to be tested, I am sure the numbers would have been much higher. It brings us back to the issue of testing," said Jaya Nair, petitioner for mandatory testing.

The government is currently formulating a policy on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation focusing on pregnant women and young children and expected to be announced by December 1.

But with 2500 children already testing positive in a random survey, the question is: Is it already too late?