India Needs To Achieve Zero New Transmission Of HIV To End AIDS: Union Health Minsiter Harsh Vardhan At UN General Assembly

New Delhi: India has ably demonstrated that strong political leadership is most critical to address inequalities and gaps in epidemic response, said Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan on Thursday (June 10) as he emphasised on the need to achieve zero new transmission of HIV to eradicate AIDS. The Union Health Minister made these remarks at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), through video conference. He also spoke on Resolution 75/260, which concerns the Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the political declarations on HIV/AIDS. During his address, the minister said India took swift and timely action by involving communities, civil society and development partners to mitigate the impact of COVID on HIV services.

Also Read: A Look At How HIV-AIDS Has Been Impacting The World

In India, the HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act, 2017, provides a legal and enabling framework to safeguard the human rights of infected and affected populations.

India’s unique HIV prevention model is centered around the concept of ‘Social Contracting through which the “Targeted Interventions Program” is implemented with support from civil society, he said. The program is aimed at behaviour change, communication, outreach, service delivery, counselling and testing and ensuring linkages to HIV care, the minister added.

Also Read: India Needs Stronger Focus On Addressing Mother To Child Transmission Of HIV, Says Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, UNAIDS

India is providing free anti-retroviral treatment to close to 1.4 million people. Indian drugs are also reaching millions of people living with HIV in Africa, Dr Vardhan said while adding that India’s National AIDS Control Program has been revised, revived and revamped to focus on hard-to-reach and at-risk populations.

“Viral Load Testing facilities have been scaled up, and HIV counselling, testing and community-based screening for early diagnosis have been ramped up to achieve the target of Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV.”

Also Read: COVID-19 Pandemic’s Long-Term Impact Could Lead To More New HIV Infections, AIDS-Related Deaths: United Nations

In line with the motto of Indian government’s motto, ‘Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust’, the minister informed that the National AIDS Control Program has signed MoUs with public and private sector industries to mobilise their support for HIV prevention and treatment. India aspires to scale up HIV care to reach 100 per cent of people living with this dreaded disease.

We are fully cognizant of the fact that with only 115 months to meet the target, we need to achieve zero new transmission of HIV if we are to deliver on the promise of ending AIDS in the next 10 years, he concluded.

Also Read: Meet 44-Year-Old HIV Positive Warrior Who Is Helping Other Patients In Their Fight

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.