CCEA approves Rs.8,632 crore for AIDS control programme

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Thursday approved budgetary support of Rs.8,632.77 crore for the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) Phase-IV which seeks to provide comprehensive care and support to all HIV/AIDS affected people.

An official release said that NACP IV will integrate with other national programmes and align with overall 12th Five Year Plan goals of inclusive growth and development.

"Having initiated the process of reversal in several high prevalent areas with continued emphasis on prevention, the next phase of NACP will focus on accelerating the reversal process and ensure integration of the programme response," the release said.

The main objective of NACP IV include reducing new infections by 50 percent (2007 baseline of NACP III).

The programme will provide comprehensive care and support to all people living with HIV/AIDS and treatment services for all those who require it. The objectives will be realised by intensifying prevention services with a focus on high-risk groups and vulnerable population.

The government launched the first National AIDS Control Programme (NACP I) in 1992. NACP II was initiated in 1998. Based on the learning from NACP I and II, the government designed and Implemented NACP III (2007-2012) with an objective to "halt and reverse the HIV epidemic In India" by the end of the project.

The release said there has been a steady decline in overall prevalence and nearly 50 percent decrease in new infections over the last ten years and NACP IV aims to consolidate the gains of NACP III. "NACP III has given desired results and has been quoted as a global success," it said.