| Syllabus: GS III, Subject: Science and technology, Topic: Medical science and Health, Issue: Vaccine Administration in India |
Context: 20 years of the launch of Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), for Persons living with HIV (PLHIV)
Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
- ART not only treats HIV but also suppresses viral load, halting disease transmission.
- By 2023, HIV prevalence decreased to 0.20%, with India’s share in global PLHIV reduced to 6.3%.
- National AIDS Control Programme aims for ambitious targets by 2025: 95-95-95.
- Political will, sustained funding, community engagement, and program modifications contributed to the success of free ART.
Challenges:
- Delayed enrollment, patient adherence, supply chain, private sector engagement, staff training, and integration with other health programs.
Conclusion
- Free ART initiative in India sets an example for delivering quality, accessible healthcare nationwide.
- The program’s success can guide other public health initiatives, like hepatitis C treatment, to accelerate progress.
| Prelims Connect(Schemes/Policies/Programs)·        National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) phase 5 calls for the attainment of ambitious targets of 95-95-95 by 2025, where 95% of all people living with HIV know their HIV status; 95% of all people diagnosed with HIV infection receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy achieve viral suppression by 2025.
·        These targets are aligned with global targets agreed by the UNAIDS. |
