India has achieved an 84% reduction in mother-to-child HIV transmission since 2010, far exceeding global progress. The government deployed multimedia campaigns, digital outreach, and 1,619 targeted projects for high-risk populations. Grassroots workers and ombudsmen help combat stigma while ensuring rights for HIV-positive individuals. Health Minister Anupriya Patel credited NACO's comprehensive strategy for this public health milestone.
"Vertical
transmission rate has declined by around 74.5% between 2010 and 2024 compared
to 56.5% globally" – Anupriya Patel
The
number of vertical (mother-to-child) transmission of HIV has declined by around
84 per cent said Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family
Welfare, in the Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
Key
Points
1 India's HIV
transmission decline outpaces global rates by 18%
2 NACO runs 1,619
projects for high-risk groups like sex workers and migrants
3 Digital campaigns
target youth while grassroots workers drive rural awareness
4 Ombudsmen appointed in 34 states to combat HIV discrimination
In a
written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Patel shared several steps taken by the
government to enhance HIV/AIDS awareness.
“Vertical
transmission rate has also declined by around 74.5 per cent between 2010 and
2024 compared to around 56.5 per cent globally in the same reference period,”
Patel said.
Patel
noted that National Aids Control Organisation (NACO), a division of the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, undertakes the responsibility to
strengthen the awareness campaign against HIV/AIDs, through comprehensive
multimedia campaigns, such as with information kiosks, and folk performances,
among others.
Digital
platforms and social media are also actively leveraged to ensure broader
engagement and awareness generation, especially among younger and tech-savvy
audiences.
Further,
NACO rolled out 1,619 projects nationwide to support high-risk HIV populations.
“High-risk
groups, including female sex workers (FSW), men having sex with Men (MSM),
people who inject drugs (PWID), hijra/transgender (TG) individuals, truck
drivers, and migrants are specifically addressed through 1,619 targeted
intervention projects across the country,” Patel said.
Self-help
groups, anganwadi workers, ASHAs, and members of Panchayati Raj institutions
provide training and sensitisation programmes at the grassroots level,
fostering community-level awareness and behavioural change.
To
prevent discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV), NACO uses
thematic campaigns, Patel said
These
campaigns aim to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and foster inclusivity in
diverse settings, including workplaces, healthcare facilities, educational
institutions, and communities at large.
In
addition, “Ombudsmen have been appointed in 34 States and Union Territories to
address complaints related to discrimination against PLHIV,” the MoS said,
noting that the efforts underscore the government’s commitment to protecting
the rights and dignity of PLHIV.
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