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National AIDS Control Programme — Govt Scheme for UPSC | Vaidra
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National AIDS Control Programme

Ministry of Health & Family WelfareactivehealthLaunched: 1992-01-01

About the Scheme

Multi-phase programme (I-V). NACP-IV (2012-17): ₹14,295 cr budget, reduced new infections by 50%. Phase-V (2021-26) approved with comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment.

Target Beneficiaries: 5.6 million people reached through 1840 targeted intervention projects. Focus on high-risk groups: FSW, MSM, PWID, truckers.

Implementing Agency: National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Official Website →

✦Key Features

  • Prevention services for high-risk groups and vulnerable populations.
  • Comprehensive HIV testing and counselling services (ICTC).
  • Provision of free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) through dedicated centers.
  • Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission (PPTCT) of HIV.
  • Blood safety measures and surveillance.
  • Community-led initiatives and social protection for PLHIV.

✓Eligibility Criteria

  • All individuals seeking HIV testing and counseling services.
  • Individuals diagnosed with HIV for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and related care.
  • Pregnant women for PPTCT services.
  • High-risk groups for targeted intervention and prevention services.

★Benefits

  • Access to free and confidential HIV testing and counseling.
  • Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for all eligible PLHIV.
  • Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
  • Access to condoms and other prevention commodities.
  • Support services and referrals for nutrition, psycho-social support, and opportunistic infection management.

▶Application Process

  • Individuals can visit Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) located in government hospitals for free and confidential HIV testing.
  • Upon diagnosis, individuals are referred to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centers for further evaluation and treatment initiation.
  • Pregnant women can access PPTCT services at antenatal clinics.
  • High-risk groups can access targeted intervention services through outreach workers and community-based organizations.

₹ Budget Allocation

2732

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% Central Sector Scheme for core interventions

Exam Relevance

GS Paper: GS2

Prelims Relevance8%
Mains Relevance9%

Syllabus Tags

Public Health Infrastructure in IndiaSocial Determinants of HealthVulnerable Sections of SocietySustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - Goal 3National Health PolicyHealthcare Access and EquityRole of NGOs in Public Health

Historical Context

Launched in 1992 (Phase I) in response to the first HIV case in India (1986). It has evolved through five phases, shifting from awareness to massive ART scale-up.

Exclusion Criteria

  • None (Universal access for all HIV-infected individuals)

Sub-Schemes

Targeted Intervention (TI)

Targeted interventions for high-risk groups

PPTCT

Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission

Challenges

  • Rising infections among youth and non-traditional high-risk groups
  • Persistent social stigma leading to low testing rates in rural areas
  • Supply chain disruptions for Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) drugs
  • Funding transition from international donors to domestic resources

Reforms & Recommendations

  • Integration with primary healthcare centers to reduce stigma
  • Increased focus on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
  • Community-led monitoring of ART centers

Performance Statistics

Metric

46% (since 2010)

Source: NACO Annual Report

Metric

Rs 15,471.94 Crore

Source: PIB

Critical Analysis

NACP is globally recognized as one of the most successful public health interventions. Phase-V (2021-26) moves beyond containment to the goal of 'Ending the Epidemic'. The shift toward 'Test and Treat' policy and the inclusion of Transgender and MSM communities as High-Risk Groups (HRGs) highlights a rights-based approach. However, the emergence of 'bridge populations' and persistent social stigma remain significant barriers to reaching the 'Last Mile' of the 95-95-95 targets.

SDG Linkages

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingSDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Constitutional Backing

Article 21: Right to HealthArticle 47: Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living

Technology Used

SOCH PortalViral Load Testing machinesDBT for nutritional support (Nikshay-like model for HIV)

Success Stories

Sonagachi Project Model

Key Takeaways

  • Focus on 95-95-95 targets by 2025
  • Free ART for all (Test and Treat)
  • Special focus on Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission (PPTCT)
  • Legal protection under HIV/AIDS Act 2017

Probable Questions

How has the National AIDS Control Programme evolved to address the changing epidemiology of HIV in India?

MediumMedium

Mains Answer Fodder

Key elements of NACP-V for mains: 1. Goal 3.3 of SDGs (ending AIDS by 2030). 2. Triple 95 Targets (95% diagnosed, 95% on ART, 95% virally suppressed). 3. Vertical Integration: Shifting from stand-alone clinics to integrated health services under Ayushman Bharat. 4. De-stigmatization: Implementation of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Act 2017.

Convergence Schemes

  • Ayushman Bharat - PMJAY
  • Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP/NTEP)
  • National Health Mission

Sector Tags

HealthSocial JusticeDisease Control