World AIDS Day: India’s sustained efforts have ensured low HIV epidemic level

New Delhi: Marking the occasion of World AIDS Day, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda inaugurated the World AIDS Day 2024 commemoration in the presence of Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh at the Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya Auditorium, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

This year’s theme, “Take the Rights Path”, emphasizes the importance of ensuring equal rights, dignity, and access to healthcare for all, particularly for those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

In keeping with the World AIDS Day 2024 theme, ‘Take the rights path’, JP Nadda reflected on the Government of India’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, emphasizing legal protections, healthcare access, and societal change. He said, “World AIDS Day is a moment to reiterate that we are all together in the fight against AIDS as well as to remember and re-dedicate the efforts of those people who have fought against this disease and lost their loved ones as well.”

The Union Minister highlighted the government’s unwavering approach to tackling HIV/AIDS, citing the ongoing Phase V of the National AIDS and STD Control Program. He underlined the sustained efforts by NACO and State AIDS Control Societies which ensured low HIV epidemic level in India over the years with new infections in the country in 2023 almost 44% lower than in 2010 while AIDS related deaths declined by 79%.

The Minister emphasized on three important directives for people to pursue regarding the fight against AIDS. First, he emphasized the importance of caution to prevent HIV/AIDS infections, noting that people can contract the virus not only through sexual intercourse but also through other routes. Second, he stressed the need for adopting a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep, to prevent many illnesses. Additionally, he highlighted the significance of raising awareness and combating stereotypes through various initiatives like village meetings, school performances, and educational campaigns. He also urged authorities to evaluate the effectiveness of their AIDS control efforts and address any gaps.

Nadda underscored the importance of treating HIV positive people with a human angle. Highlighting that every person has the right to a dignified life, he urged everyone to include people with HIV in the mainstream. “Contrary to some beliefs, any person with HIV can live lifelong today and can also have a healthy child without HIV infection”, he said.

Expressing his admiration for health workers for handling such diseases with extreme care and dedication, Nadda noted that they carry on their work despite being exposed to infected people at all times and emphasized on the need to protect them.

The Union Minister highlighted the long struggle faced by India in its fight against AIDS. “From a time when there was no medicine for AIDS, to dealing with over-expensive medicines to now becoming a net supplier of HIV medicines to the world, India has come a long way in its fight against AIDS”, he stated. He noted that today India is taking a lead in AIDS control by producing the most affordable as well as effective medicines and sharing them with the neediest. He also stated that the Union government provides free medicines for AIDS patients.

Underscoring the Indian government’s commitment to achieve the Sustainable Develeopment Goals (SDGs) by 2030, Shri Nadda said that the number of new HIV cases in India has decreased by 44% since 2010 which is higher than the global reduction rate of 39%. There has also been a 79% decline in deaths due to AIDS.

He noted that India has adopted a 90-90-90 target for combating AIDS which includes the target of detecting 90% cases of AIDS in the country, 90% of people to be treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 90% to have their viral load suppressed. He stated that this target was later increased to 95-95-95, out of which 81% people with AIDS have been identified, 88% are being given ART and viral load of 97% identified people has been suppressed.

On the occasion, Nadda also congratulated the Madhya Pradesh government for attaining significant strides in the healthcare sector. Earlier, he also visited an exhibition set up by NACO and interacted with the delegates and officials there.

The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav expressed his elation at the fact that people from the lowest strata of the society are benefitting from the government’s efforts at AIDS control. He said, “under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, India has successfully managed the Covid-19 pandemic and is working with the vision of eradicating a range of epidemic diseases by 2030, including AIDS”.

On strengthening of medical infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Yadav emphasized that while earlier there were only five medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh, today there are 31 medical colleges in the state. He also pointed out that there will be 50 medical colleges operative in the state in the next two years.

Dr Yadav further stated that Madhya Pradesh aims to achieve the target of eradicating AIDS as a public health threat by 2028, two years ahead of the 2030 SDG goal.