Structure:
Introduction: (up to 30 words) Write about the importance to tackle HIV/AIDS in India
Body: (up to 100 words) Give the layout of the National Strategic Plan and Mission Sampark
Conclusion: (up to 30 words) Conclude by pointing out the importance of such a strategy and Mission and that, if successfully implemented, HIV/AIDS can be eradicated by 2030.
Supporting Points:
Aimed at eradicating HIV/AIDS by 2030, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the National Strategic Plan (2017‐24).
Having already succeeded in achieving the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 (over 50% reduction in annual new HIV infections and AIDS‐related deaths), the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) is implementing a seven‐year National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS and STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection), 2017‐24. This National Strategic Plan (NSP) will herald the country to the midpoint of the 2030 goals. The next seven years are, therefore, critical and investments made now will result in substantive gains towards ‘Ending of AIDS’.
The vision of the NACO is that of ‘Paving the way for an AIDS free India’ through ‘attaining universal coverage of HIV prevention, treatment and services that are effective, inclusive, equitable and adapted to needs’. The goals remain those of the ‘Three Zeros’ ‐ i.e. zero new infections, zero AIDS‐related deaths and zero discrimination which form the basis of this strategic plan.
By 2020, the focus of the national programme will be on achieving the following fast track targets:
- 75% reduction in new HIV infections.
- 90‐90‐90: 90% of those who are HIV positive in the country know their status, 90% of those who know their status are on treatment and 90% of those who are on treatment experience effective viral load suppression.
- Elimination of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV and Syphilis.
- Elimination of stigma and discrimination
By 2024, the further achievements envisaged are:
- 80% reduction in new HIV infections,
- Ensuring that 95% of those who are HIV positive in the country know their status, 95% of those who know their status are on treatment and 95% of those who are on treatment experience effective viral load suppression.
To this effect, two key achievements in early 2017 ‐ ‘Ending of AIDS by 2030’ include the enactment of the ‘HIV/AIDS Bill’ as a law protecting the rights of people living with and affected by HIV as well as the announcement and implementation of the ‘Test and Treat’ policy in line with global guidelines.
It paves a roadmap not only for achieving the target of 90:90:90 Strategy but also strive along with partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
The 90:90:90 Strategy is a new HIV treatment narrative of UNAIDS programme which has set targets of 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status (90% diagnosed), 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (90%on HIV treatment) and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression (90% suppressed).
Mission SAMPARK was also launched to trace those who are Left out, to Follow Up and are to be brought under Antiretroviral therapy (ART) services. Mission “SAMPARK” has been launched in this direction, as a Community Based Testing to take HIV testing closer to those in need, will help in fast‐tracking the identification of all who are HIV positive and subsequently linking to ART programme.
