UNGA on Prevention of HIV/AIDS
Source : PIB
GS II : Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Why in News ?
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare digitally addressed the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Key Facts
- While the common perception is that the HIV epidemic is under control, epidemics have the habit to resurge and hence constant vigil, and appropriate timely remedial measures are necessary.
- To meet the target, achieve zero new transmission of HIV if deliver on the promise of ending AIDS in the next 10 years.
- Identify our challenges and gaps, customise our program, share knowledge, emulate best practices and stride towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the AIDS epidemic which is a grave public health threat, by 2030.
India against AIDS
- HIV & 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.
- The program is aimed at behaviour change, communication, outreach, service delivery, counselling & testing and ensuring linkages to HIV care.
- India is providing free anti-retro-viral treatment to close to 1.4 million people.
- Indian drugs are also reaching millions of People living with HIV in Africa.
- India’s National AIDS Control Program has been Revised, Revived and Revampedto 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.
- In line with the motto of the Government of India, Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust’ 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% of people living with this dreaded disease.
AIDS/Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- After entering the body, HIV multiplies itself and destroys CD4 cells, thus severely damaging the human immune system. Once this virus enters the body, it can never be removed.
- CD4, a type of White Blood Cell (T cells) in the body’s immune system.
- T cells that move around the body detecting anomalies and infections in cells.
- In a healthy body, CD4 count is between 500- 1600, but in an infected body, it can go as low as 200.
- It becomes difficult for a person infected with this virus to recover from other diseases.
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