Bengaluru: HL 09 July, 2026
The Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS) has launched a statewide awareness and screening campaign aimed at improving HIV diagnosis and encouraging more people to get tested. The initiative comes amid concerns that thousands of people in the state may be living with HIV without being aware of their infection.
Health authorities estimate that over 56,000 people in Karnataka remain unaware of their HIV-positive status, making early detection a key public health priority. Although free HIV testing and treatment services are available across the state, officials believe many people are still missing out on timely diagnosis due to stigma, lack of awareness, and low voluntary testing.
According to KSAPS, more than two lakh people are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Karnataka. However, identifying undiagnosed individuals and linking them to treatment remains a major focus of the state’s HIV control programme.
Officials said changing social and sexual behaviour, including the increasing use of online dating platforms, has made HIV prevention and outreach more challenging. They stressed that awareness about HIV transmission, regular testing, and safe practices needs to be strengthened, particularly among high-risk and underserved populations.
To bridge this gap, KSAPS has introduced the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha campaign under the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). A key feature of the campaign is the BreakFree QR Code, which enables users to access a confidential self-risk assessment, locate nearby HIV testing centres, and connect with trained counsellors.
The self-assessment tool is designed to help individuals understand their level of risk and seek appropriate medical support while ensuring privacy and confidentiality. Public health experts believe that expanding access to digital tools and community-based awareness campaigns can play an important role in increasing HIV testing and reducing the spread of the infection.
The campaign is expected to strengthen Karnataka’s efforts toward early HIV detection, prompt treatment, and achieving national goals for HIV prevention and control.
