Government intensifies district-level HIV response as Delhi grapples with treatment linkage gaps while Haryana shows steady progress toward epidemic control by 2027.

The union ministry of health and family welfare, through the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), convened the ‘Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala’ in Delhi on Friday. Chaired by Dr. Rakesh Gupta, additional secretary and director general, NACO, the high-level workshop brought together national, state, and district stakeholders to strengthen the HIV/AIDS response in 219 priority districts across India. Of these, 11 districts are in Haryana and 7 in Delhi – north, New Delhi, Shahdara, central, south east, south, and north west.

The gathering marks a decisive step toward India’s goal of declaring HIV/AIDS under control by World AIDS Day 2027 and aligns with the global target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. District programme teams presented their progress, shared operational challenges, and jointly developed targeted action plans focused on early diagnosis, prompt treatment initiation, sustained adherence, and elimination of stigma.

219 Priority Districts Targeted

India has identified 219 districts nationwide for accelerated HIV interventions. Haryana’s 11 districts and Delhi’s 7 districts will receive heightened focus through enhanced monitoring, inter-sectoral convergence, and capacity building. The workshop emphasised a data-driven, evidence-based approach to improve testing, linkage to care, retention on anti-retroviral therapy (ART), and viral load suppression among people living with HIV.

Dr. Rakesh Gupta underscored the importance of coordinated action: “HIV/AIDS continues to pose a significant public health challenge, necessitating sustained vigilance, innovation, and coordinated action across all tiers of governance.” He called for a “whole-of-system synergy” to bridge gaps in the HIV care continuum at the field level.

Delhi Continues to Face Critical Gaps

Delhi records an adult HIV prevalence of 0.33 per cent, with an estimated 59,079 people living with HIV. However, the capital continues to face critical gaps, with only around 70 per cent of identified individuals currently linked to or receiving treatment. This shortfall in the care cascade – diagnosis, linkage, and retention – has been flagged as a priority area requiring urgent acceleration.

Dr. Gupta explicitly highlighted the challenge: “Delhi continues to face critical gaps, with only around 70 per cent of identified individuals currently linked to or receiving treatment, highlighting the urgent need to accelerate treatment coverage and retention.” District teams from Delhi presented their ground-level realities and committed to outcome-oriented plans to close these gaps through intensified outreach, improved ART adherence support, and stronger community engagement.

Haryana Demonstrates Encouraging Progress

In contrast, Haryana has achieved a promising cascade of approximately 81:83:95, reflecting better performance in diagnosis, treatment linkage, and viral suppression. With an adult HIV prevalence of 0.24 per cent and an estimated 59,642 people living with HIV, the state’s progress signals that focused interventions can deliver results. Yet officials noted that further efforts are needed to push diagnosis and linkage rates closer to the national targets.

National Targets: Moving Toward 95:95:99

The workshop reinforced India’s commitment to the globally endorsed 95:95:95 targets – 95 per cent of people living with HIV aware of their status, 95 per cent of diagnosed individuals on sustained ART, and 95 per cent of those on treatment achieving viral suppression. An even more ambitious enhanced target of 95:95:99 has been set for the upcoming programme cycle.

Dr. Gupta explained the framework: “The framework envisions that 95 per cent of all people living with HIV are aware of their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed are on sustained anti-retroviral therapy (ART), and 95 per cent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression – thereby substantially reducing transmission and improving health outcomes.” He outlined a time-bound roadmap to achieve these milestones, stressing innovation, robust monitoring, and targeted outreach among vulnerable and key populations.

Focus on Eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission

A key thrust of the Karyashala was preventing vertical transmission of HIV. Dr. Gupta stressed that mother-to-child transmission is entirely preventable through timely testing, counselling, and treatment. He called for strengthened antenatal screening and universal access to prevention services to ensure no child is born with HIV. The workshop encouraged integration of HIV services with maternal and child health programmes to close this critical loop.

Programme Implementation and Stigma Reduction

Participants discussed strategies to enhance inter-sectoral convergence, build capacity among frontline workers, and implement robust monitoring mechanisms. Emphasis was placed on early diagnosis, prompt ART initiation, sustained adherence, and the elimination of stigma and discrimination. The Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala served as a collaborative platform for translating national policy into district-level action, ensuring that every priority district develops customised, measurable plans.

Dr. S.P. Bhavsar of NACO delivered the background address, highlighting the evolving epidemiological contours of HIV in India and the need for granular, district-driven strategies anchored in robust data analytics.

Roadmap to Epidemic Control by 2027

As the workshop concluded, stakeholders reaffirmed India’s resolve to accelerate efforts toward the 95:95:99 milestones. The Suraksha Sankalp initiative is expected to catalyse faster progress in the 219 priority districts, particularly in Delhi and Haryana, by fostering closer synergy between national, state, and district levels.

With sustained vigilance and coordinated action, officials expressed confidence that India is on track to declare HIV/AIDS under control by 2027. The Delhi workshop has set the tone for intensified field-level implementation, ensuring that gaps in awareness, testing, treatment, and adherence are bridged effectively.