The HIV/AIDS Ombudsman in Karnataka has received and disposed of 108 complaints from people living with HIV (PLHA) over four-and-a-half years. Officials say this is the highest number recorded in India under the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017. These complaints were mainly about stigma, discrimination, and denial of services, reported between July 2021 and December 2025. Karnataka made the Ombudsman mechanism operational in mid-2021 after notifying State rules and appointing an Ombudsman. Gangu Bai Ramesh Manakar, the Karnataka Ombudsman and State nodal officer for grievance redressal, said most complaints (53) came from healthcare settings. Workplaces accounted for 26 cases, educational institutions 23, and community settings 6. No complaints came from emergency medical situations. "Most of the complaints were resolved within the mandated 30 working days," she added. Complaint numbers varied over half-year periods, with small rises and falls. Cases ranged from 7 to 17 per half year between July 2021 and December 2025. PLHA groups say awareness about the Ombudsman remains low outside major urban centers. Sannidhi, from Sirsi, living with HIV for over 25 years, said, "With less than 110 complaints in a State where stigma is widespread, especially at ART centres, awareness is the biggest gap." Naina, from Shivamogga, who faced discrimination at a local health facility, said, "Even one instance affects thousands among our 2.4 lakh PLHA population. Awareness and training are required across districts." Officials confirmed mass and interpersonal awareness campaigns are ongoing. They use IEC vans, outdoor media, digital messaging, and sensitisation sessions for Self-Help Groups, Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, Panchayati Raj bodies, and private sector representatives. Under the 2017 HIV Act, complaints must be filed within three months of the incident, with a possible three-month extension. Complaints can be sent by email (ombudsman.hiv@karnataka.gov.in), post, helplines (1097 or 9449846954), or in person. Assistance is available for filing. Other states like Kerala use different models. Kerala's SACS Joint Director Rashmi Mahadevan said district teams handle stigma complaints quickly while keeping confidentiality. Published - January 24, 2026 10:07 pm IST