If AIDS (acquired immuno deficiency syndrome) has to end in 10 years, the target should be to achieve zero new transmissions , said Harsh Vardhan, Union minister of health and family welfare, in his address at the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high level meeting on AIDS on Thursday.
“We are fully cognisant of the fact that with only 115 months to meet the target, we need to achieve zero new transmissions of HIV if we are to deliver on the promise of ending AIDS in the next 10 years. We have a long journey ahead.We need to foresee and identify our challenges and gaps, customise our programme, share knowledge, emulate best practices and stride towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the AIDS epidemic, which is a grave public health threat, by 2030. We are together in this fight against HIV,” he said.
Also Read | India-supported Abdulla Shahid of Maldives elected President of UNGA
India’s HIV prevention model is centered around the concept of ‘Social Contracting’ through which the ‘Targeted Interventions Programme’ is implemented with support from civil society. The programme is aimed at behaviour change, communication, outreach, service delivery, counselling and testing, and ensuring linkages to HIV care.
Under the programme, India provides free anti-retro-viral treatment to close to 1.4 million people. The National AIDS Control Programme has been revised, revived and revamped to focus on hard-to-reach and at-risk populations. Indian drugs are also reaching millions of people living with HIV in Africa.
{{/usCountry}}Under the programme, India provides free anti-retro-viral treatment to close to 1.4 million people. The National AIDS Control Programme has been revised, revived and revamped to focus on hard-to-reach and at-risk populations. Indian drugs are also reaching millions of people living with HIV in Africa.
{{/usCountry}}“In line with the motto of the Government of India, ‘Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust’, the National AIDS Control Programme has signed MoUs with public and private sector industries to mobilise their support for HIV prevention and treatment. India aspires to scale up HIV care to reach 100% of people living with this dreaded disease,” the health minister said.
In India, the HIV & AIDS Prevention and Control Act, 2017, also provides a legal and enabling framework to safeguard the human rights of infected and affected populations.