In its latest update released on the eve of World AIDS Day, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlighted the notable progress India has made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, recording a 44 per cent reduction in infections since 2010, with the adult HIV prevalence rate currently standing at 0.2%, while the annual new infections are estimated at 66,400. Outperforming the global reduction rate of 39% is no doubt a commendable effort, but the country has a long way to go before achieving its aim of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, with over 2.5 million people still living with the disease as per the India HIV Estimations 2023 report. Alarmingly, the northeast has a high adult HIV prevalence rate, with three states – Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur – featuring in the top three, while Meghalaya is in the top 10 list. As per the NACO HIV Estimation 2022, Nagaland’s adult HIV prevalence rate stands at 1.34%, while the general population prevalence rate is 1.61 (according to NACO HSS 2021 Report). The state has witnessed a decline in the prevalence rate over the years, but the fact that it is still way above the national average is a matter of grave concern. Data also shows that the antenatal care (ANC) prevalence rate in the state is 1.61% against the national average of 0.22%. This high prevalence rate of vertical transmission should worry the authorities, as it is something that is preventable with proper medication.
The government of India has been consistent in its effort towards preventing and controlling HIV/AIDS. India, through the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) Phase-V, aims to reduce annual new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths by 80% by 2025-26 from the baseline value of 2010, eliminate vertical transmission, end stigmatisation, and make quality treatment accessible to all. This programme is making a positive impact in combating the disease, as reflected in the decrease of new infections over the years, but challenges continue to exist. It is reported a huge population of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) have not come forward to avail antiretroviral therapy (ART). Health experts are also of the opinion that there could be many who are unaware of their HIV status. This is certainly not helping the combat against the deadly disease. India has a robust HIV-prevention and control programme but to meet the desired goal, people should come forward to take a test for the virus and avail treatment if tested positive. For this, stigma and discrimination associated with the disease should be done away with. A little bit of empathy will go a long way in preventing and controlling HIV/AIDS.