Context: As per the latest HIV estimates report (2019) of the Government, India is estimated to have around 23.49 lakh people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in 2019. The HIV epidemic has an overall decreasing trend in the country with the estimated annual new HIV infections declining by 37% between 2010 and 2019.
Background

• India has achieved significant progress in containing the AIDS epidemic.
• The stigma faced by HIV positive patients is a relevant social issue.

Main causes of HIV infection in India

• Engagement in high-risk behaviours
• Unprotected sexual behaviours
• Unsafe injecting drug use behaviour

Suggestion to curb

• Region and state wise plans must be evolved to tackle the spread of new infections.
• New policies for AIDS infected children must be integrated with Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Anganwadi infrastructure and ASHA workers must be given special training.
• Drug users must be shown compassion by the law enforcement agencies and the Police must coordinate with the medical community to ensure that unsafe use of needles by drug addicts is checked.
• Due to the stigma faced by sex workers they are not able to get access to health counsellors, medical clinics, etc. There must be a comprehensive policy to tackle this.
• National Aids Control Programme (NACP) Phase IV aims to reduce new infections by 50 per cent and also provide comprehensive care, support and treatment to all persons living with HIV/AIDS.
• 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS sets world on the Fast-Track to end the epidemic by 2030. India must ensure achieving its targets through sustained focused campaign with renewed vigour.

National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)

• NACO is a division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that provides leadership to HIV/AIDS control programme in India through 35 HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Societies.
• In 1986, following the detection of the first AIDS case in the country, the National AIDS Committee was constituted in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• As the epidemic spread, the need was felt for a nationwide programme and an organization to steer the programme. In 1992 India’s first National AIDS Control Programme (1992-1999) was launched, and National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) was constituted to implement the programme.
• NACO envisions an India where every person living with HIV has access to quality care and is treated with dignity.
• Effective prevention, care and support for HIV/AIDS is possible in an environment where human rights are respected and where those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS live a life without stigma and discrimination.
• NACO works to contain the spread of HIV in India by building an all-encompassing response reaching out to diverse populations.