HIV sero-surveillance which was initiated in 1985 has evolved over the years as one of the most fundamental strategic information functions, facilitating evidence-based decision-making under the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) of the Government of India. Inmates at the central jails were included as one of the HIV surveillance population groups under NACP in India during the 2019 round of surveillance.
HIV sero-surveillance, initiated in 1985, has evolved over the years as one of the most fundamental strategic information functions, facilitating evidence-based decision-making under the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) of the Government of India. In 2021, the 17th round of HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) was implemented across the following eight population groups: pregnant women, single male migrants, long distance truckers, prisoners, female sex workers, men who have sex with men, hijra/transgender people and injecting drug users.
National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) tracks the status of the HIV/AIDS epidemic through a robust institutional system of surveillance in eight population groups: Antenatal Clinic Attendees (ANC), Female Sex Workers (FSW), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), Injecting Drug Users (IDU), Hijra/Transgender (H/TG) people, inmates in central jails, migrants and Long-Distance Truckers (LDT).
This global progress in identification of newer drug molecules that are more robust and less toxic, a significant reduction in the cost of therapy and innovative approaches to service delivery and increasing access to treatment have literally transformed the disease from a virtual death sentence in the early 1980s to a chronic manageable disease now.
India HIV Estimates 2021, latest round in the series, was undertaken using UNAIDS recommended ‘Spectrum’ tool as in previous rounds. Spectrum version 6.18, the latest version available during the implementation period, was used. This fact sheet provides estimates on key epidemiological parameters of HIV prevalence, PLHIVs, new infections, AIDS related mortality, elimination of mother to child transmission. The fact sheet also includes progress on 95-95-95.
Focus on location and population is fundamental to an efficient AIDS response. HIV Estimates 2019 report provides vital epidemiological evidence to the programme managers at all levels for prioritization of locations for bottom-up AIDS response. The report identifies 144 districts where either the adult HIV prevalence is ≥1% or the size of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is ≥5000. Together, these 144 districts are estimated to have 63% of PLHIV, 49% of new infections and 55% of PMTCT need in 2019.
The 'Sankalak' provides the epidemic status and programmatic reach across prevention, testing, treatment and retention continuum in he challenging context of COVID-19 pandemic in year 2020-21. This document highlights the results of country efforts in maintaining and augmenting the AIDS response through State and National-level initiatives.
"Sankalak: Status of National AIDS Response" is the evidence-driven flagship report of NACP detailing the national AIDS response towards 2020 fast-track targets and 2030 end of the epidemic goal. 'Sankalak' analyses and reports the robust programmatic and surveillance data generated under NACP for the years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. This second edition of 'Sankalak' tells a tale of significant progress together with persisting challenges under the programme.
