World AIDS Day: Reflecting on Progress and Renewing Our Commitment
Anupam Guha
November 30, 2025
Every year on December 1st, the world comes together to observe World AIDS Day-a vital occasion to raise awareness, commemorate those lost to HIV/AIDS, and galvanize efforts toward ending the epidemic. As we mark the 38th anniversary of this important day in 2025, the global community reflects on remarkable progress and renewed commitments. According to the World Health Organization's 2024 data, approximately 40.8 million people worldwide are living with HIV. Among them, 39.4 million are adults, and 1.4 million are children (aged 0-14 years). There have been 630,000 deaths due to HIV-related causes. Every day, around 712 children are infected with HIV, and approximately 250 people die from AIDS-related complications. Currently, an estimated 39-40 million people remain living with HIV globally. The main theme for World AIDS Day 2025 is "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response," which emphasizes overcoming chaos and transforming the response to AIDS.
The history of HIV/AIDS began in the 1930s when a virus present in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in Central and West Africa was transmitted to humans. This typically occurred through hunting or blood contact. In the 1920s, a specific strain (HIV-1 subgroup M) from Kinshasa, Congo, sparked a global pandemic. In the early 1980s, especially in 1981, doctors began reporting cases of rare pneumonia and cancers, which first alerted the world to HIV/AIDS. Scientists believe that in the 1930s, HIV originated from a virus in chimpanzees and was transmitted to humans through hunting. The first HIV-related case was documented in the United States in 1981. In 1983, scientists at the Pasteur Institute in France isolated the virus responsible for HIV/AIDS. In 1986, the virus was officially named Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). During the 1990s, effective medicines for AIDS treatment were developed, helping to extend the lifespan of those infected with HIV. Today, HIV is a chronic disease that can be managed with effective treatment. Since the advent of antiretroviral therapy, the death rate from HIV/AIDS has significantly decreased. As a result, individuals living with HIV can now lead long and healthy lives. Recent advances in antiretroviral treatment have further reduced the death toll from the AIDS pandemic. In 2005, the highest number of deaths was recorded, but by 2024, that number has decreased to 1.3 million (from 1.9 million in 2005).
In Geneva, Switzerland, at the World Health Organization, two information officers of the global HIV/AIDS program, James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, first planned World AIDS Day in August 1987. They shared their idea with Dr. Jonathan Mann, the director of the World Health Organization’s (now the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, or UNAIDS) HIV/AIDS-related program. Dr. Mann approved the concept and agreed to observe World AIDS Day for the first time on December 1, 1988. In 1996, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) was launched, taking responsibility for planning and promoting World AIDS Day. Rather than focusing on just one day, in 1997, UNAIDS initiated a year-round campaign emphasizing communication, prevention, and education about HIV/AIDS. By 2004, the World AIDS Campaign became an independent organization. In 2016, NGOs related to HIV and AIDS, including Pangaea Global AIDS and the South African AIDS and Rights Group, launched a campaign to rename World AIDS Day as World HIV Day. They argued that this change would highlight social justice issues and emphasize advances in treatments like pre-exposure prophylaxis (medication taken before exposure to prevent infection).
HIV, the virus responsible for the deadly disease AIDS, stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It weakens the body’s immune system, reducing the ability to fight infections. As a result, an AIDS patient can easily become infected with any infectious disease, which can ultimately lead to death. Immediately after HIV infection, AIDS does not develop. In some cases, flu-like symptoms may appear initially. After that, there are no symptoms for many years. As the HIV attack progresses, the immune system weakens, increasing the likelihood of the infected person contracting common infectious diseases. They may even fall victim to infections that typically affect only those with compromised immunity. During this stage, patients often unintentionally lose a significant amount of weight. Most people infected with HIV carry the virus without showing any symptoms. However, sometimes, 6 to 7 weeks after infection, nonspecific symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, and swollen lymph nodes may occur. These symptoms usually resolve without treatment, so the infected individual remains unaware of their condition. HIV can reside in the human body silently for up to 10 years. HIV transmission occurs through blood transfusions, sharing infected needles or syringes, or from an infected pregnant mother to her child during late pregnancy or childbirth. Unprotected sexual contact with an HIV-infected person also carries the risk of transmission. Most bodily fluids—such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids—can carry the virus. However, because of its lipid envelope, HIV is fragile and does not survive long outside the body. Therefore, the risk of infection is very low unless there is direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. HIV does not spread through casual contact such as touching, sharing food, or using the same clothes. Even mosquito bites do not transmit HIV. Hence, HIV infection is not contagious through everyday contact.
According to reports available, in India, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is higher in states like Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur compared to the national average. In Mizoram, the prevalence of HIV among adults is 2.32%, in Nagaland it is 1.45%, and in Manipur it is 1.18%. In Manipur, the rate of HIV positivity among injection drug users is 19.4%, and in Nagaland, the number of women engaged in sex work who are living with AIDS is higher.
The data released by the government of Tripura on June 19, 2025, there are approximately 120 new HIV infections reported in the state every month. As of May 2025, the total number of AIDS and HIV-positive patients in Tripura exceeds 5,000, including over 1,000 women. HIV-positive cases are also found among homosexuals. From April 2023 to March 2024, a total of 204,180 people in the state were tested, and remarkably, 1,400 individuals were found to be infected with the virus. In recent months, a total of 40,052 tests have been conducted, and among them, 300 people tested positive for HIV. The number is increasing steadily through proactive efforts.
Consistent with the government data released on December 1, 2024, the HIV/AIDS program has been operational in Tripura since 1999. Since 2000, the Tripura State AIDS Control Society has been working to implement this program. To raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, provide counseling, and conduct testing, the state has established 24 integrated counseling and testing centers in hospitals, 133 facility-integrated counseling and testing centers, three TIPPI (Targeted Intervention for People Who Inject Drugs) integrated counseling and testing centers, and one mobile integrated counseling and testing van. To prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, a Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission (PPTCT) center has been set up at Agartala Government Medical College and Jibipara Hospital. The report states that last year, a total of 5,663 female sex workers, 978 homosexuals, 7,716 migrant workers, 3,804 truck drivers, 132 transgender individuals, and 8,748 drug users through injection drugs were registered under the Tripura State AIDS Control Society. Thirteen T.I. NGOs, two link worker schemes, and four one-stop centers are operating in the state.
Treatment services for injection drug users are overseen by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the supervision of the Tripura State AIDS Control Society. Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centers are functioning at Jampui Hill’s Vangmun Hospital, Kumarghat Hospital, Kailashahar District Hospital, Dhalai District Hospital, Jirania CHC, Abhoynagar Urban PHC, and Damsara Primary Health Center. Additionally, 18 satellite OST centers are providing services via various hospitals and health centers, including Monughat Hospital, Kanchanpur Sub-divisional Hospital, Gandachara Sub-divisional Hospital, Tripurasundari Hospital, Bishramganj Primary Health Center, Khowai District Hospital, Amarpur Hospital, Sabum Hospital, Khowai District Hospital, Teliamura Hospital, Mohanpur Hospital, Shantibazar District Hospital, Durganagar District Hospital, Kolasora Hospital, and Sailenta Hospital, along with one-stop centers in Borakha, Takarzala, and Agartala Government Medical College. For treatment of HIV/AIDS patients, ART (antiretroviral therapy) centers are operational at Agartala Government Medical College and Jibipara Hospital, Durganagar District Hospital, and Dhalai District Hospital. These centers provide free medication to HIV/AIDS patients. Additionally, the mobile integrated counseling and testing van offers free HIV testing services in remote areas of the state.
A nationwide fight is ongoing against HIV/AIDS. Increasing awareness and active participation are essential. To enable those infected with HIV to lead normal lives, appropriate steps must be taken. Therefore, let us continue the fight against AIDS to build a conscious and healthy world for future generations. This is also a matter of human rights, as every individual has the right to live equally. Let us all make a pledge that through awareness, prevention, and compassion, we will continue our fight against this pandemic and work towards creating a healthy, informed, and prosperous world. Together, we can build a world where HIV/AIDS is no longer a threat — a world of health, dignity, and hope for all.
(Tripurainfo)
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