THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 452 FOR 24 APRIL, 2015
(a) Yes. The Government has assessed the performance of various schemes/programmes for prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS patients in the country under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), through regular review meetings and Joint Implementation Review Missions led by the World Bank and other development partners.
The HIV estimates (2012) have shown that the adult HIV prevalence at national level has steadily declined from the estimated level of 0.41% in 2001 through 0.35% in 2006 to 0.27% in 2011. The estimated number of new annual HIV infections has declined by 57% from 2.74 lakh new HIV infections in 2000 to 1.16 lakh in 2011. Wider access to various interventions and prevention strategies under National AIDS Control Programme and Anti-Retroviral Treatment has resulted in a decline in the estimated annual AIDS related deaths.
The details of performance of various schemes/programmes for prevention care and treatment of HIV/AIDS patients in the country, State/UT-wise is annexed.
(b) The Budgetary Estimates for 2015-16 for the National AIDS Control Programme is to the extent of Rs. 1397 crore as against Revised Estimates of Rs. 1300 crore for the year 2014-15. Thus as compared to R.E. of the previous year, there is no cut.
The National AIDS Control Organisation has adequate autonomy to fulfill its mandate.
(c) Yes. The Government has been in constant touch with State Finance Secretaries, and Health Secretaries to ensure early release of funds through their treasuries. The resolution of delayed release in few States was taken up through e-Samiksha also.
(d) Yes, government provides financial assistance to the dependents of the people who die due to HIV/AIDS as part of the general social security network. Widows of people who die due to HIV/AIDS are linked to the existing Widow Pension Schemes in States. Additionally, financial assistance is provided to children who are orphaned by HIV/AIDS in the States of Delhi, Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
(e) Some new initiatives have been taken to strengthen the HIV/AIDS prevention programmes in the country. They are as follows:
1. India is committed to work towards elimination of new HIV infections among children. So, from 1st January 2014, nationwide Life Long ART to HIV +ve Pregnant Women irrespective of CD4 count & Clinical stage of HIV has been launched.
2. National Helpline was launched to facilitate easy dissemination of information related to HIV/AIDS to general public in all Indian languages.
3. Scale up of programmes to target key vulnerabilities
a. Scale up of Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) for IDUs.
b. Scale up and strengthening of Migrant Interventions at Source, Transit & Destinations including roll out of Migrant Tracking System for effective outreach.
4. Establishment and scale up of interventions for Transgender (TGs) by bringing in community participation and focused strategies to address their vulnerabilities.
5. Employer-Led Model for addressing vulnerabilities among migrant labour.
6. Social protection for marginalised populations through mainstreaming and earmarking budgets for HIV among concerned government departments.
7. Computerized Inventory Management System to strengthen the supply chain management system of Anti Retroviral Drugs and other commodities, enhance efficient use of the drugs and minimize wastages across the country.
