# Syringe use overtakes sex as top HIV cause in Punjab: Minister 2026-08-13T13:52:11+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday warned that intravenous drug use has overtaken unprotected sex as the leading cause of HIV transmission in several districts. Launching the Intensified IEC Campaign 3.0 on August 12, he said 56% of new HIV cases in the state are now linked to contaminated syringes shared by injecting drug users. Heterosexual sex accounted for only 17% of new infections, according to NACO data. The state recorded 12,435 HIV cases in 2024-25, rising to 14,525 in 2025-26, partly due to expanded screening. The campaign will run for two months, promoting testing, treatment, and fresh syringe use. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Tags: drug abuse, health campaign, HIV/AIDS, NACO, needle sharing, Punjab Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/syringe-use-overtakes-sex-as-top-hiv-cause-in-punjab-minister/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/syringe-use-overtakes-sex-as-top-hiv-cause-in-punjab-minister/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.