On the occasion of World AIDS Day, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Sunday said that the HIV infection in India fell by 44 per cent in 2023 compared to the cases in 2010.
Nadda added that the 44 per cent decrease in new HIV cases in India since 2010 was higher than the global reduction rate of 39 per cent.
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The country aims to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating AIDS by 2030. Currently, Phase V of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme is ongoing in India, he added.
While lauding the efforts of the NACO and State AIDS Control Societies, the health minister said that India has worked out a formula of "95-95-95" in view of the target of eliminating AIDS by 2030.
"Ninety-five per cent of the patients in the country should know that they are infected with HIV, 95 per cent of the patients should get treatment and the "viral load" of 95 per cent of the patients should be lessened by antiretroviral therapy medicines," he said.
Presently, the existing formula is '81-88-97', which shows 81 per cent of patients know they are infected with HIV, 88 per cent of patients are being given treatment and the viral load of 97 per cent of patients has reduced.
The AIDS-related deaths in the country have reduced to 79 per cent in 2023 when compared to 2010, Nadda said.
The Centre is providing AIDS medicines to patients free of cost and also awareness classes to those coping with the illness.
Indian pharmaceutical companies were shipping the cheapest and most effective AIDS medicines to Africa, South Africa and Latin America.
Nadda also expressed concerns regarding youths getting infected from getting tattooed in unhygienic places. "Youth should take precautions while getting tattooed. Today we are getting to know that people are suffering from AIDS after getting tattoos. I want to make youth aware of this danger," he said.
He urged people to set aside taboos associated with the disease and seek treatment at the earliest.
It should be ensured that there is no discrimination against HIV-infected people in employment and other areas, Nadda asserted.
While speaking at the event, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav emphasised that the state is committed to eradicating AIDS as a public health threat by 2028.
