India has achieved financial independence to tackle AIDS: NACO

India is no longer reliant on foreign aid to combat AIDS, according to Dr. Uday Bhanu Das, Deputy Director General of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Speaking at the 16th National Conference of the AIDS Society of India in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Dr. Das highlighted that the majority of funding for AIDS programmes now comes from the Indian government.

"Currently, 94% of the funding for the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme is provided by the Government of India, with only 6% coming from the Global Fund. It’s important to note that India also contributes financially to the Global Fund and WHO. This marks our financial self-sufficiency in the AIDS response," he said.

Under Phase-V of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), India aims to reduce new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths by 80% by 2025-26 compared to 2010 levels. Another key goal is achieving the 95-95-95 targets by 2025, ensuring that:

• 95% of people living with HIV are aware of their status,
• 95% of those diagnosed receive antiretroviral therapy, and
• 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.

"As of 2024, 84% of people living with HIV in India were aware of their status, 86% were receiving antiretroviral therapy, and 94% had achieved viral suppression," Dr. Das noted. Globally, these figures stand at 86%, 89%, and 93%, respectively.

Dr. Ishwar Gilada, President Emeritus of the AIDS Society of India (ASI), emphasized that ending AIDS requires 100% of people with HIV to know their status, receive treatment, and achieve viral suppression. "This will not only keep them healthy but also prevent further transmission," he stated.

According to NACO, India's HIV infection rate has declined by 44.23% since 2010, surpassing the global reduction of 39%. AIDS-related deaths in the country have also dropped by 79.26%, compared to the global decrease of 51%.