The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has estimated that funds to the tune of Rs.15,815 crore would be required for rolling out the phase IV of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP-IV) from 2012-17 in the country.

This marks a considerable hike from the allocation for the NACP-III. The phase III was launched in July 2007 with the goal of Halting and Reversing the Epidemic by the end of project period in mid 2012. The Government had earmarked Rs.11,585 crore for the phase to ensure completion of the reversal of the epidemic through enhanced prevention linked with care support and treatment.

“During the period of NACP-III, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) supplemented the efforts of the national programme with assistance that has included direct implementation of interventions as well as technical support. BMGF have indicated that they will be withdrawing from direct implementation of activities,” sources said.

“Accordingly, government has formulated a detailed transition plan for continuing these activities from own resources. BMGF have agreed to provide element of technical support estimated at US$ 38 million during the next phase. Under the NACP-IV, it is proposed to provide necessary domestic resources wherever external resources may not be forthcoming,” official sources said.

Meanwhile, the working group of the Planning Commission has prepared a draft strategy for the phase-IV programme with the objective of achieving 80 per cent reduction in new infections in high prevalence States.

The strategy, finalised after an inclusive process involving civil society, positive networks, technical experts and government agencies, also sets the target of bringing down new infections by 60 per cent in the low prevalence States. The draft strategy, finalised in a recent meeting of the working group, looks to extend comprehensive care, support and treatment to all persons living with HIV/AIDS.

The strategies chalked out are intensification and consolidation of quality prevention services, increase in access and promotion of innovative and sustainable mechanism for comprehensive care and treatment, expansion of services to general population and high risk groups with a focus on behaviour change and demand generation, and strengthening of institutional capacities and process of integration.