The working group on AIDS control, constituted by the Planning Commission,  has prepared a draft strategy for the National AIDS Control Programme phase-IV as part for the 12th Five Year Plan 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. “Enhancing access, coverage and quality of services by leveraging partnerships, and strengthening programme initiatives through innovations’’ are also part of the strategies.

“Objectives may be reviewed to ensure that there is no undue emphasis on high prevalence states which are already showing a decline in new infections, at the expense of other states where a slight increase in prevalence has been noted. Due attention must be paid to areas of emerging vulnerability,” the working group meeting decided. It was also felt necessary to review the projected figures and budget for ART to ensure that the same were adequate.

The involvement of communities and their contributions in the success of the national programme was underlined, as was the need for creation of an enabling environment to reduce stigma and discrimination and improve access to services by investing in increased ownership of the programme by communities and by tackling the legal aspects also. The necessity of expanding socio-economic rehabilitation packages for people affected and infected with HIV/AIDS was felt by all in the meeting.

It was agreed that the Plan should be differentiated to clearly show the contribution by other Ministries towards this end, as part of a multi-sectoral approach to tackle HIV/AIDS. The plan budget would thus commit resources to NACO, while also identifying segments that would be reflected in plans of associated Ministries/Departments, sources said.

“There was general agreement that while it was necessary to work towards  integration with NRHM with a view  to long term sustainability, it was necessary to proceed with caution keeping the focus on issues paramount to the HIV programme, maintaining quality and the special needs,” sources said.