States » WestPosted at: Jan 14 2026 10:34PM


Maharashtra reports high dropout rate from ART centres, Over one thousand HIV-positive patients discontinue treatment annually

Mumbai, Jan 14 (UNI) More than 6,800 HIV-positive patients in Maharashtra have been classified as lost to follow-up over the last five years, an official said on Wednesday, raising serious concerns about treatment continuity and patient retention under the state’s HIV and anti-retroviral therapy (ART) programmes.
In HIV care, lost to follow-up refers to patients who discontinue scheduled visits at ART centres and cannot be traced for a defined period, typically ranging from three to six months. This indicator is considered critical, as it reflects gaps in long-term treatment adherence and the effectiveness of follow-up mechanisms required for lifelong therapy.
At the national level, a total of nine thousand nine hundred sixty-nine HIV patients are currently categorised as lost to follow-up. Maharashtra, excluding Mumbai, accounts for nearly eight percent of this national figure, with more than one thousand patients discontinuing treatment every year.
Please log in to get detailed story.
Tags: #Maharashtra reports high dropout rate from ART centres# Over one thousand HIV-positive patients discontinue treatment annually
More News

19 students hospitalised after alleged iron tablet overdose in Chandrapur

13 Feb 2026 | 7:43 PM

Chandrapur, Feb 13 (UNI) Nineteen students from a Zilla Parishad school in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district were admitted to hospital after reportedly consuming an excessive quantity of iron tablets meant for anaemia prevention, officials said on Friday.

see more..

Light to Moderate Rain Likely in Parts of Maharashtra; Minimum Temperatures May Dip

13 Feb 2026 | 7:18 PM

Pune, Feb 13 ( UNI) Although heat has begun to intensify across most parts of the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday forecast light to moderate rainfall in some districts over the next few days due to moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

see more..

Maha: Fire claims three lives in Akola district

13 Feb 2026 | 7:15 PM

Akola, Feb 13 (UNI) A devastating fire claimed three lives in Adgaon Budruk village of Akot tehsil in Maharashtra’s Akola district, officials said on Friday.

see more..

Maharashtra hosts Mahavikas 2026 to boost consumer awareness, women entrepreneurship

13 Feb 2026 | 7:12 PM

Direct selling sector records steady growth with Maharashtra leading nationally
Mumbai, Feb 13 (UNI) Maharashtra on Friday hosted Mahavikas 2026, a major government–industry–consumer dialogue organised by the Indian Direct Selling Association in collaboration with the State Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, at the Y. B. Chavan Centre.

see more..

Was the pilot under pressure? Rohit Pawar demands thorough probe

13 Feb 2026 | 7:11 PM

Mumbai, Feb 13 (UNI) Against the backdrop of fresh revelations surrounding the Ahmedabad plane crash, NCP MLA Rohit Pawar has renewed his demand for a detailed investigation into the earlier plane crash that claimed the life of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

see more..