Why in the News?

The Supreme Court of India has directed all States to file responses regarding systemic issues in the procurement and supply of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) drugs for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).

About Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) drugs

• ART is the treatment of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using anti-HIV drugs.
• A primary goal of ART is to reduce the viral load to an undetectable level, which significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
  • This is often referred to as "Undetectable = Untransmittable" (U=U).
• ART typically involves taking a combination of different HIV medicines (usually 2 to 4 drugs) to increase effectiveness (often called Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)).
  • Example: TLD Tablet (Tenofovir, Lamivudine, and Dolutegravir).
• It should be noted that ART is not a cure for HIV, but it can help people with HIV live long and healthy lives.
• In India, ART drugs are managed by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), ensuring procurement, distribution, and regulation.
  • NACO implements the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP).

About HIV/AIDS

• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus): It is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help fight infections.
• AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome): It is the final and most severe stage of HIV infection and it occurs when the immune system becomes too weak to fight off life-threatening infections.
• Not everyone with HIV develops AIDS, especially with proper treatment.
• Transmission: HIV spreads through direct contact with certain body fluids from an infected person such as unprotected sexual contact, blood-to-blood contact, mother-to-child transmission, etc.
• Status in India:
  • As per the recent India HIV Estimations 2023 report, over 2.5 million people are living with HIV in India.
  • North- east region States have the highest adult HIV prevalence (2.70% in Mizoram, 1.36% in Nagaland and 1.05% in Manipur).
  • The four high-prevalence states of Southern India (Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) account for 55% of all HIV infections in the country.
• Measures Taken:
  • Global Efforts:
    • UNAIDS 95-95-95 Goal (By 2030):
      • 95% of people living with HIV should know their status.
      • 95% of diagnosed individuals should receive Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).
      • 95% of those on ART should achieve viral suppression.
    • The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Provides financial support for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria programs in developing countries.
  • India:
    • National AIDS Control Programme (NACP): Launched in 1992, currently in its fifth phase (NACP-V) (2021-2026).
    • Free ART Treatment & Care: India provides free ART drugs through 700+ ART centres across the country.
    • Legal Protection: HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 mandates free ART for all HIV-positive individuals.