AIDS-related deaths down by 79%, new HIV infections by 44% since 2010: Nadda

Indore: Deaths from AIDS in the country came down by 79 per cent while HIV infections fell by 44 per cent in 2023 when compared to 2010, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said on Sunday.

Speaking at a function here on the occasion of World AIDS Day, Nadda said the 44 per cent decrease in new HIV cases in India since 2010 was higher than the global reduction rate of 39 per cent.

The country is committed to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating AIDS by 2030, he said and cited the ongoing Phase V of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme.

Nadda said the renewed IDS response measures of ‘test and treat’ and universal viral load testing will be endorsed and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017 will be implemented in toto.

The Union minister underlined the sustained efforts by NACO and State AIDS Control Societies and said India has worked out a formula of “95-95-95” in view of the target of eliminating AIDS by 2030.

“Ninety-five percent of the patients in the country should know that they are

infected with HIV, 95 percent 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 explained. At present, 81 per cent of patients know they are infected with HIV, 88 per cent patients are being given treatment and the viral load of 97 per cent patients has reduced, the Union minister informed.

“There has been 44 per cent reduction in new AIDS infections in the country, while AIDS-related deaths have reduced by 79 per cent in 2023 when compared to 2010,” he said. Nadda said the current prevalence of AIDS is 0.70 percent globally, whereas in India it was 0.20 percent, adding that after a long battle against AIDS, a strong medical system has been developed in the country to fight off this disease.