NACO Holds ‘Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala’ to Boost District-Level HIV Response

  • March 20, 2026, 2:12 p.m.

New Delhi, March 19, 2026: The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare organised the Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala in Delhi to strengthen district-level responses to HIV/AIDS, with a focused engagement for Haryana and Delhi.

The workshop forms part of a forward-looking strategy aimed at enhancing data-driven interventions, targeted outreach, and service delivery frameworks.


Focus on Data-Driven Strategies and District-Level Action

The workshop was chaired by Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Additional Secretary and Director General, NACO. In his keynote address, he подчеркed that HIV/AIDS continues to be a significant public health challenge requiring sustained vigilance, innovation, and coordinated governance.

S. P. Bhavsar, Deputy Director at NACO, highlighted the need for granular, district-level planning backed by robust data analytics.


95:95:95 Targets and India’s Progress

Dr. Gupta elaborated on the global 95:95:95 targets, which aim to ensure:

  • 95% of people living with HIV know their status

  • 95% of diagnosed individuals receive Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART)

  • 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression

He stressed the need to move towards an enhanced 95:95:99 target in the coming years.

Current Status in Delhi and Haryana

  • Delhi:

    • Adult HIV prevalence: 0.33%

    • Estimated 59,079 people living with HIV

    • Around 70% linked to treatment, indicating gaps

  • Haryana:

    • Adult HIV prevalence: 0.24%

    • Estimated 59,642 people living with HIV

    • Progress at approximately 81:83:95 cascade


Priority Districts Identified for Intensified Action

A total of 219 districts nationwide have been identified for focused interventions, including:

  • Delhi (7 districts): North, New Delhi, Shahdara, Central, South East, South, North West

  • Haryana (11 districts): Panipat, Rohtak, Sirsa, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Faridabad, Bhiwani, Hisar, Sonipat, Kaithal, Fatehabad

District teams are presenting progress reports, sharing challenges, and preparing targeted action plans during the workshop.


Eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission a Key Priority

Dr. Gupta emphasised that mother-to-child transmission of HIV is entirely preventable through:

  • Timely testing

  • Counselling

  • Early treatment

He called for strengthened antenatal screening and universal access to prevention services to ensure that no child is born with HIV.


Strengthening Grassroots Implementation and Collaboration

The workshop focuses on:

  • Improving early diagnosis and testing coverage

  • Ensuring prompt initiation of ART

  • Enhancing treatment adherence and retention

  • Expanding outreach among vulnerable populations

  • Eliminating stigma and discrimination

Officials highlighted the importance of a whole-of-system approach, involving national, state, and district stakeholders working in close coordination.


Roadmap to End AIDS by 2030

Dr. Gupta reiterated India’s commitment to declaring HIV/AIDS as “under control” by World AIDS Day 2027, aligning with the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala serves as a key platform for collaborative planning, capacity building, and monitoring, reinforcing India’s evidence-based and inclusive approach to HIV prevention and control.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

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