Dinesh Gundu Rao, Karnataka's Minister for Health and Family Welfare, stated on December 1 that the government is committed to making Karnataka an AIDS-free state by 2030. Speaking at the World AIDS Day programme, he called on all stakeholders to join the effort. Since 2004, 1,16,200 people in Karnataka have died due to lack of proper treatment for HIV. Mr. Rao clarified that HIV does not spread by sharing food or through coughs and colds. He emphasized, "HIV-positive individuals too have the right to live with dignity in society," and urged timely Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS. He identified unsafe sexual contact and sharing needles among drug users as main causes of transmission. HIV can also spread from an infected mother to her baby. Recently, male-to-male sexual contact has also contributed to rising cases. The Minister stressed the need for greater awareness, especially in areas with many young people, colleges, hostels, and communities with sex workers. Padma Basavanthappa, project director of AIDS Prevention Society, said this year's World AIDS Day focuses on providing needed services to HIV-positive individuals and fighting stigma. Karnataka has 442 standalone Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres and 94 ART centres in district hospitals, taluk hospitals, and private medical colleges. Additionally, 290 Link ART centres operate at the taluk level. To mark the day, Information, Education, and Communication materials were released, and workers in AIDS programs were honored. A New Year calendar was launched by the blood donation camp team. The event began with a public awareness march from Kote Anjaneya Temple. Notable attendees included MLA K. Harish Gowda, MLC C.N. Manje Gowda, District Health Officer Dr. P.C. Kumaraswamy, Mysore Medical College Dean Dr. K.R. Drakshayini, and District AIDS Programme Officer Dr. Mohammed Shiraj Ahmed.