In recent news, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare digitally addressed the Ministerial meeting of the Global Prevention Coalition (GPC) for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Prevention. This event was organised by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representing the GPC.
About Global HIV Prevention Coalition (GPC)
The GPC is a global partnership of United Nations Member States, donors, and civil society organizations, established in 2017. The coalition aims to expedite global efforts to prevent HIV. It comprises of the 25 highest HIV burden countries, UNAIDS Cosponsors, donors, civil society and private sector organizations. The coalition’s goal is to bolster and sustain political commitment for primary prevention by setting a shared agenda among critical policymakers, funders and programme implementers.
Significance of the GPC Conference
This year’s conference takes on extra prominence as it aligns with the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) pledge to eradicate Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by 2030. Members of the GPC have committed to reducing new adult HIV infections by 75% from 2010 levels by the end of 2020.
India’s Role at the Conference
India recognized the remarkable progress made in decreasing new infections, enhancing access to prevention services for key population and treatment services for People Living with HIV (PLHIV), decreasing AIDS-related mortality, enabling reduction in mother to child transmission of HIV and creating an empowering environment. The conference emphasized the ability of the GPC to act as a model showcasing how diverse stakeholders can collaborate efficiently towards a common goal.
India’s Unique HIV Prevention Model
India protected the gains made in HIV prevention during the Covid-19 pandemic by quickly and effectively distributing Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARV). National Aids Control Organization (NACO) periodically released advisories and guidance notes according to global guidelines. India revamped its Targeted Intervention (TI) programme to focus on hard-to-reach populations, including those in prisons and other enclosed settings.
Project Sunrise: A New Initiative
In 2016, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a new initiative ‘Project Sunrise’ to combat the increasing prevalence of HIV in India’s north-eastern states, particularly among drug users.
India’s Contribution to Global HIV Prevention
India’s supply of generic Anti-Retroviral drugs to the world has had a significant impact in controlling the HIV epidemic. India is ready to extend its unique HIV prevention model to the rest of the world by tailoring the intervention as per local settings.
Additional International Initiatives against AIDS
Among other initiatives, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), established in 2002, is a partnership organization designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics.