T.N. achieves target of National AIDS Control Programme-Phase V: Health Minister

Tamil Nadu has achieved the National AIDS Control Programme-Phase V (NACP-V) target of 95-95-95 during 2026-27 under which 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 95% of those receiving treatment achieve viral suppression, Health Minister K.G. Arunraj said on Monday.

Officials said the State achieved the target in September this year. The Minister, while participating in an event on a State-level intensified IEC campaign on HIV/AIDS, said the prevalence of HIV/AIDS was down by half in the State; it has dropped from 0.40% in 2010 to 0.19% in 2023 as a result of sustained and intensive awareness efforts by the State government and NGOs.

The aim, he said, was to increase awareness and achieve a HIV/AIDS-free Tamil Nadu by 2030. Currently, 1,63,151 people are under treatment in the State, he added. He said a total of 311 integrated counselling and testing centres (ICTC) functioned in the State with funding support from the National AIDS Control Organisation, while 403 ICTCs functioned through financial assistance from the National Health Mission. A total of 2,656 testing facilities functioned at primary health centres and government hospitals, a press release said.

Free HIV testing

Free testing for HIV, prevention, and treatment services are provided through ART centres in 58 government health facilities, including government medical college hospitals, district headquarters hospitals, and government hospitals, and 28 ART centres in private medical colleges hospitals and 172 linked ART centres. As many as 104 NGOs and social organisations have been working to bring about behavioural changes among high risk groups in the State. This includes sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, transpersons, heavy vehicle drivers, and migrants, he added.

The Minister said eliminating mother-to-child transmission of three infections — HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B — was another key priority. Babies born to HIV-positive women were given a prophylactic dose of ART soon after birth to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, he added.

Taking into consideration the need to provide social protection for children living with HIV/AIDS through nutritious food, uninterrupted education, and continuous treatment, the State government enhanced the monthly financial assistance provided to children affected by HIV/AIDS.

The revised monthly assistance was ₹3,000 for children living with HIV who have lost both parents, ₹2,000 for children who have lost one parent, ₹1,500 for children who live with their parents, and ₹1,500 for children who have lost both parents to HIV/AIDS but are not infected. An additional ₹1.21 crore has been allocated for this scheme and the enhanced assistance will benefit children from November onward, the Minister said.

He said the intensified awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS must reach every section of the society. Through the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS), Red Ribbon Clubs have been set up in 2,329 colleges to create awareness among students about HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, and behavioural change. To create awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention among adolescents, life skills education training is being imparted to students studying in classes VIII, IX, and XI in 9,830 schools through the State Council of Educational Research and Training, Dr. Arunraj added.

Health Secretary Darez Ahamed and Project Director of TANSACS R. Seethalakshmi were present.