HYDERABAD: Telangana is about to introduce a QR-code-based HIV self-assessment facility from August 15, permitting folks to privately assess their HIV threat by scanning a code and answering seven easy questions, as a part of a brand new digital strategy being rolled out by the Telangana State AIDS Management Society (TGSACS).
The QR codes shall be displayed at public locations, hospitals, places of work and different places, enabling folks to entry the self-assessment facility with out having to instantly strategy a healthcare employee. After answering the questions, customers will obtain details about their threat and the place they will entry additional providers.
The initiative is being launched alongside an intensified Info, Training and Communication marketing campaign on HIV/AIDS and Syphilis, launched at HMDA Grounds on Wednesday. The 2-month marketing campaign will run throughout Telangana from August 12 to October 12 to extend consciousness, encourage folks to evaluate their threat and promote voluntary testing.
The QR-code initiative is meant to bridge the hole between consciousness and testing by connecting folks with the 1097 HIV/AIDS toll-free helpline, free testing services, counselling providers and close by NGO or group service centres.
The marketing campaign comes as Telangana has improved its place within the nationwide HIV programme implementation scorecard. The state moved from thirty first place amongst states and union territories in 2022-23 to fifth place in 2025-26, based on the programme doc.
As of July 2026, 87.2 per cent of estimated folks residing with HIV in Telangana had been conscious of their standing, 100 per cent of identified folks had been on antiretroviral remedy (ART) and 96.1 per cent of these examined for viral load had achieved viral suppression. The programme doc, nevertheless, notes that individuals who stay undiagnosed nonetheless have to be recognized.
On the marketing campaign launch, greater than 50 bikes and 25 autos participated in rallies, adopted by a walkathon involving greater than 1,600 members and a Cell Built-in Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTC) Van rally. Contributors carried placards and umbrellas displaying QR codes and HIV/AIDS messaging.
Venture director of TGSACS, Ok. Vidyasagar highlighted the state’s progress in HIV prevention, testing and remedy. The launch was attended by transport and BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar, principal secretary well being and household welfare, Christina Z. Chongtu, GHMC commissioner, RV Kannan, director of well being, Dr Ravindra Nayak and movie artist Tanikella Bharani.
The state at present has 127 ICTCs, 11 Cell ICTCs, 22 ART centres, 11 ART centres below PPP, 48 designated STI/RTI clinics and 30 Sampoorna Suraksha Kendras, amongst different providers.
Talking on the event, minister Ponnam Prabhakar mentioned that it’s the social duty of each particular person to take away the misconceptions among the many folks about HIV and AIDS and to create the required consciousness for illness management.
