Taal is a unique care and support initiative in Asia pacific to expand access to treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). It is distinctive in the fact that "Taal" is run by people living with HIV/AIDS for people living with HIV/AIDS established by Emcure, Network of Positive People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+), Network of Maharashtra by People Living with HIV/AIDS (NMP+, NNP+).

Taal is an example of much needed corporate and public partnerships in expanding the HIV prevention and care effort. Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd, one of India's leading pharmaceutical companies in association with NMP+, INP+ had launched the first of its kind "Taal" centre & pharmacy at Pune in January 2006. In continuation to make Taal services accessible to more number of PLWHA, the second in the series of Taal centre & pharmacy is established at Nagpur. This centre will have a pharmacy, which will dispense ARV & other drugs at substantially subsidized cost for people living with HIV/AIDS and will also have counselling services and will facilitate access to medical advice regarding treatment for HIV positive people.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, AK Khanna, executive director of Emcure said, "Most of the HIV-infected people are from the productive age group of 19 yrs to 49 yrs and there is also an increase in the paediatric age group. To manage and treat the epidemic is a major challenge as there is the social stigma, discrimination and ostracization of the persons infected with the virus by not only the society but by their own family as well. With this unique centre & pharmacy, Emcure has joined hands with like minded people from NMP+, NNP+, INP+ to further its corporate social responsibility effort to fight this social stigma and allow people living with HIV/AIDS to seek treatment with dignity". As part of this corporate social responsibility initiative, Emcure will supply the pharmacy with a range of ARV drugs at subsidized prices apart from supporting the infrastructure requirements, while NMP+, NNP+ and INP+ will manage the programme. Those HIV+ people registered with NNP+ will avail of the benefits of the pharmacy. Apart from medicines Taal will provide consultation on treatment, counselling and advocacy to PLWHA. In the coming months the concept will be replicated in many other cities in India with high prevalence of HIV/AIDS.

Shivaji Barge, VP, NMP+, stated that "Despite initiatives by organisations like WHO & NACO there are still many numbers of PLWHA who are not receiving medication, complicated eligibility criteria, non-availability of required testing are also roadblocks. With this initiative, we are hoping to bridge a part of this gap, while ensuring that the social stigma of the illness does not pose a further barrier."

Rati Agnihotri, Cine star, who unveiled the first Taal Centre in Vidhrabha region at Nagpur and second in the series of Taal Centre's stated that "It is important that people cease to exclude those living with HIV/AIDS and recognize the need to provide accessibility of therapy and treatment to them. Understanding the disease and showing compassion for HIV+ people will help manage and minimize its spread".