India has achieved a notable milestone in its fight against HIV, with new infections declining by 44.23% from 2010 to 2022, surpassing the global reduction rate of 39% over the same period. This encouraging data was shared by the central government on World AIDS Day, December 1, underscoring the country’s continued commitment to combating the epidemic.

The 2023-24 Prevention Progress Report, released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, reveals that despite this overall decline, the HIV prevalence remains disproportionately higher among certain high-risk groups. While the national average for adult HIV prevalence stands at just 0.20%, some groups continue to be more vulnerable, including people who inject drugs (9.03%), transgender individuals (3.78%), men who have sex with men (3.26%), and inmates in prisons (1.99%). Other groups such as female sex workers (1.85%), truckers (1.00%), and migrants (0.89%) also face higher-than-average rates of HIV transmission.

The government’s response through the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) Phase V (2021-2026) is particularly focused on these high-risk groups. The program emphasizes peer-led targeted interventions designed to accelerate the reduction of new infections, ensuring that resources and attention are directed to the populations that need them most.

India’s success in reducing HIV infections is largely attributed to evidence-based policymaking. Over the past three decades, the country has built a robust framework for generating data, which informs more targeted and adaptable responses at national, state, district, and even sub-district levels. This granular approach allows the government to concentrate its efforts where they are most needed, ensuring a more effective and responsive strategy in the fight against HIV.

At a World AIDS Day event in Indore, Union Health Minister JP Nadda emphasized the importance of integrating HIV education into school curricula. “We need to make HIV awareness a part of school education, especially for students in classes 9 and 10. It’s crucial that we openly discuss HIV and break the stigma surrounding it,” he said, highlighting the need for early education to equip young people with the knowledge and understanding to protect themselves.

Minister Nadda also reflected on the remarkable journey India has taken in terms of treatment accessibility. From the early days when HIV/AIDS medicines were scarce and prohibitively expensive, India has now become a leader in affordable HIV care. Today, the country not only provides free antiretroviral drugs to patients but has also emerged as a global supplier of affordable HIV medicines, helping countries in need across the world.

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The government’s efforts have been instrumental in providing life-saving treatment to millions of people living with HIV in India. By making these medicines more accessible and affordable, India has ensured that those living with HIV can lead healthier, longer lives. Minister Nadda concluded, “India has come a long way in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and we will continue to lead the way in providing affordable, effective treatment to the world.”

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