Why in the News?

• Recently, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare inaugurated the World AIDS Day, 2024 commemoration in the presence of the Chief Minister at the Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya Auditorium, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
• The event emphasized the theme “Take the Rights Path,” highlighting equal rights, dignity, and access to healthcare for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.

Key Points:

Government's Commitment:

=> The Union Minister reiterated the government’s dedication to safeguarding the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, focusing on legal protections, healthcare access, and societal transformation.

=> He emphasized raising awareness, combating stereotypes, and ensuring effective AIDS control through community initiatives and campaigns.

=> The program aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end AIDS by 2030.

=> Activities emphasized collective action, empathy, and resilience, promoting a world free from discrimination and fear.

Achievements in AIDS Control:

=> India has seen a 44% reduction in new HIV cases since 2010, compared to the global reduction rate of 39%.

=> AIDS-related deaths in the country declined by 79% during the same period.

=> India is now a global leader in producing affordable, effective HIV medicines and supplies free antiretroviral therapy (ART) to AIDS patients.

Strategic Targets:

=> India adopted the 90-90-90 target to detect 90% of AIDS cases, treat 90% with ART, and suppress viral load in 90% of treated individuals.

=> The revised 95-95-95 targets are nearing achievement, with 81% identified, 88% treated, and 97% achieving viral suppression.

Role of Madhya Pradesh:

=> The Chief Minister commended the state’s strides in healthcare, including plans to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat by 2028, two years ahead of the global 2030 target.

=> He noted the significant expansion in medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh, from 5 to 31, with plans for 50 by 2026.

Key Initiatives and Releases:

=> SANKALAK 6th Edition: Detailing India’s AIDS control progress.

=> India HIV Estimates 2023: Providing updated data on HIV prevalence, incidence, and mortality.

=> Coffee Table Book: Highlighting the Intensified Information, Education & Communication (IEC) Campaign’s achievements.

=> Prevention Progress Update 2023-2024: Reporting on prevention activities for high-risk groups.

=> Research Compendium Volume II: Sharing insights from state-specific studies on AIDS.

Community Engagement:

=> The event featured exhibitions by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), live performances of a newly launched theme song, and narratives from beneficiaries of the National AIDS Control Programme.

=> Diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, health workers, civil society, and development partners, attended the event, fostering collaboration.

HIV/AIDS Disease:

About:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system.
• AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the virus.
• HIV attacks CD4, a type of White Blood Cell (T cells) in the body’s immune system.
• T cells are those cells that move around the body detecting anomalies and infections in cells.
• After entering the body, HIV multiplies itself and destroys CD4 cells, thus severely damaging the human immune system.
• Once this virus enters the body, it can never be removed.
• The CD4 count of a person infected with HIV reduces significantly.
• In a healthy body, CD4 count is between 500- 1600, but in an infected body, it can go as low as 200.

Transmission:

• HIV can spread through multiple sources, by coming in direct contact with certain body fluids from a person infected with HIV, who has a detectable viral load.
• It can be blood, semen, rectal fluid, vaginal fluid or breast milk.

Symptoms:

• Once HIV converts into AIDS then it may present in initial symptoms like unexplained fatigue, fever, sores around genitals or neck, pneumonia etc.