Karnataka Ombudsman has heard 108 HIV Act complaints since July 2021

The HIV/AIDS Ombudsman in Karnataka has received and disposed of 108 complaints filed by people living with HIV (PLHA) over the last four-and-a-half years, which officials say is the highest number recorded in the country under the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017.

According to the consolidated half-yearly reports submitted to the Union Ministry of Health, the complaints pertained to stigma, discrimination, and denial of services between July 2021 and December 2025. The mechanism was made operational in Karnataka in mid-2021, following the notification of State rules and the appointment of the Ombudsman.

Healthcare settings

Gangu Bai Ramesh Manakar, Ombudsman for Karnataka and the State nodal officer for grievance redressal under the Act, said that healthcare settings accounted for the largest share of complaints (53), followed by workplaces (26), educational institutions (23), and community settings (6). No complaints were recorded from emergency medical situations. “Most of the complaints were resolved within the mandated 30 working days,” she said.

Data showed the number of complaints varied across half-yearly cycles, with 11 cases recorded between July–December 2021, 7 between January–June 2022, 8 between July–December 2022, 12 between January–June 2023, 14 between July–December 2023, 16 between January–June 2024, 17 between July–December 2024, 10 between January–June 2025, and 13 between July–December 2025.

Awareness still low

While Karnataka has been among the earliest States to operationalise the Ombudsman mechanism, PLHA groups said awareness about the forum remains limited outside major urban districts.

Sannidhi (name changed), from Sirsi, who has lived with HIV for over 25 years, said the mechanism is crucial for enforcing the rights guaranteed under the Act but remains under-utilised. “With less than 110 complaints in a State where stigma is widespread, especially at ART centres, awareness is the biggest gap,” she said.

Naina (name changed), from Shivamogga, who faced issues at a local health facility, said the Act demands zero tolerance for discrimination. “Even one instance affects thousands among our 2.4 lakh PLHA population. Awareness and training are required across districts,” she said.

Officials said that both mass and interpersonal campaigns are underway to improve awareness. IEC vans, outdoor media, and digital messaging are being used at the population level, while sensitisation programmes are being conducted for Self-Help Groups, Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, Panchayati Raj institutions and other grassroots stakeholders, apart from representatives from the private sector.

What the Act says

Under the 2017 Act, complaints must be filed within three months from the date of the alleged violation, with a provision for a three-month extension. Complaints can be submitted via email (ombudsman.hiv@karnataka.gov.in), post, helplines – 1097 / 9449846954, or in person, with assistance available for completing Form-A and informed consent. 

Some States have adopted alternative redressal models. In Kerala, which has an estimated 17,000 cumulative HIV cases, most stigma and discrimination complaints are handled at the district level through rapid response care and support teams led by District AIDS Control Officers. Kerala SACS Joint Director Rashmi Mahadevan said the model allows quick intervention while maintaining confidentiality.