Lok Sabha Question No. 2555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Eradication of AIDS
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Prataprao  Jadhav, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Sudheer Gupta, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2555 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH AUGUST, 2023

## ERADICATION OF AIDS

## 2555. SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPABARNE:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of people living with HIV across the country as per 2022 HIV estimates in the country;
- (b) whether Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) has recently released a report 'The Path that Ends AIDS' highlighting the political and financial choices involved in ending AIDS and the achievements of the countries and leaders who have pursued the path has hailed India for its efforts towards eradicating AIDS and if so, the details along with the highlights of the said report;
- (c) whether people living with HIV in the country often access treatment late leading to fatalities due to the disease and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to create awareness among people of their status regarding HIV;
- (e) the total budget sanctioned and approved by the Government for the fifth phase of National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (2021-25) to combat the epidemic; and
- (f) whether the Government has set any target to eradicate AIDS from the country and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) to (f): India is estimated to have 24.67 lakh People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in 2022 as per the HIV Estimations 2022.

Yes. UNAIDS has recently released the Global AIDS Update 2023 report titled 'The path that ends AIDS'. The report has acknowledged India for its legal framework and financial investments facilitating progress on the path leading to the 'end of AIDS as a public health treat by 2030'. The report has stated that new HIV infections have declined in countries including India. The report has included India as one of the countries where existing laws to protect the rights of vulnerable people have been strengthened. The key highlights of the report are placed in Annexure 1.

No. There are no reported fatalities due to HIV/AIDS among PLHIV in the country because of late access to treatment.

The Government implements 360-degree multimedia campaigns along with mass media supported by outdoor media such as hoardings, bus panels, information kiosks, folk performances, exhibition vans and through Red Ribbon Clubs in college to create awareness about HIV/AIDS and for promoting HIV testing across the country. At the inter-personal level, training and sensitization programmes for Self-Help Groups, Anganwadi workers, ASHA, members of Panchayati Raj Institutions and other key stakeholders are also organised to spread awareness about HIV testing and linkage to testing facilities.

The total budget sanctioned and approved by the Government for the fifth phase of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (2021-2026) is Rs. 15471.94 Crores.

The Government has set the target for achieving the 'end of the AIDS as a public health threat' by 2030. To achieve the same, the Government is currently implementing the Phase-V of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) as a Central Sector Scheme. NACP Phase-V is fully funded by the Government of India and is being implemented for a period of five years from 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2026.

The NACP Phase-V continues to offer free services for HIV prevention, detection and treatment, without any stigma and discrimination. Services for early detection of HIV are offered through counselling and testing centres. Around 16.06 lakh PLHIV are currently availing free high-quality life-long treatment from 725 ART centres (as on June 2023). The programme also offers free viral load testing for eligible PLHIV to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. Around 12.30 lakh viral load tests have been conducted during 2022 - 2023.

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## Annexure 1. Key highlights of the UNAIDS Report 'THE PATH THAT ENDS AIDS'

1. HIV responses succeed when they are anchored in strong political leadership to follow the evidence; to tackle the inequalities holding back progress; to enable communities and civil society organizations in their vital roles in the response; and to ensure sufficient and sustainable funding.
2. Progress has been strengthened by ensuring legal and policy frameworks do not undermine but, instead, enable rights. Several countries have removed harmful laws in 2022 and 2023, including five (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cook Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore) that have decriminalized same-sex sexual relations. Existing laws to protect the rights of vulnerable people have been strengthened in other countries (Central African Republic, Ghana, India, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Spain).
3. HIV incidence has declined where HIV prevention funding has increased. Currently, the regions with the biggest funding gaps-eastern Europe and Central Asia and the Middle East and North Africa-are making the least headway against their HIV epidemics. Some countries where HIV incidence is declining, including the Dominican Republic, India, Kyrgyzstan and Togo, are putting between 3% and 16% of HIV spending towards prevention programmes for people from key populations.
4. Around 3.9 Crore people globally were living with HIV in 2022 and almost 2.98 crore of them were receiving life-saving ART.
5. The estimated 13 lakh new HIV infections globally in 2022 were the fewest in decades, with the declines especially strong in regions with the highest HIV burdens.
6. Overall, the number of AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by 69% since the peak in 2004. Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zimbabwe, all in sub-Saharan Africa, have already achieved the 95-95-95 targets, and at least 16 other countries (eight in sub-Saharan Africa) are close to doing so.

7. Globally, almost three-quarters (71%) of people living with HIV in 2022 (76% of women and 67% of men living with HIV) had suppressed viral loads. Viral suppression enables people living with HIV to live long, healthy lives and to have zero risk of transmitting HIV sexually.
8. Despite the progress made, AIDS claimed a life every minute in 2022. A backdrop to many of the remaining challenges is the widening funding gap for the global HIV response. A total of US$ 20.8 billion (constant 2019 US$) was available for HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries in 2022-2.6% less than in 2021 and well short of the US$ 29.3 billion needed by 2025. Having increased substantially in the early 2010s, HIV funding has fallen back to the same level as in 2013.