India is on its way to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. The annual new HIV infections in India have declined by 48% against the global average of 31% (the base line year of 2010), and adult HIV prevalence (15-49 years) has declined since the epidemic’s peak in 2000.
The World Health Organization (WHO) will commemorate World AIDS Day in 2022 with the theme “Equalize” and is calling on global leaders and citizens to boldly recognise and address the inequalities that are holding back progress in ending AIDS and to equalise access to essential HIV services.
In India, estimated adult HIV prevalence (15–49 years) has declined since the epidemic’s peak in 2000, where prevalence was estimated at 0.55% in 2000, 0.32% in 2011, and 0.21% in 2021.
The northeastern region states have the highest adult HIV prevalence (2.70% in Mizoram, 1.36% in Nagaland, and 1.05% in Manipur), followed by the southern states (0.67% in Andhra Pradesh, 0.47% in Telangana, and 0.46% in Karnataka).
The estimated number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is around 24 lakh. Annual New Infections (ANI) are estimated at 62,970 in 2021 in India. There is an estimated 46.3% decline in ANI at the national level from 2010–2021.
In India, the number of AIDS-related deaths (ARD) is expected to be 41,970 in 2021. A decline of 76.5% in ARD has been estimated at the national level from 2010–21.
In the last decade, AIDS-related deaths in the Par Lakh population have decreased by 9.91 percent, while the total number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) has decreased by 2.4 percent in the 1 lakh population.
According to Union Health Ministry sources, “the National AIDS and STD Control Programme and Mission SAMPARK are more effective in controlling AIDS in the country.”
The National Toll-Free Helpline Number “1097” is the most effective IT tool to provide information, counselling, referral, and feedback services regarding HIV/AIDS to callers.
Ending the AIDS/HIV Epidemic: Progress So Far
The annual new HIV infections in India have declined by 48% against the global average of 31% (the baseline year of 2010).