All About National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)
The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) is a comprehensive program launched by the Government of India in 1992 to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and provide care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS.
The program has gone through five phases, with each phase building on the successes of the previous ones. The current phase, NACP V (2017-2024), focuses on achieving epidemic control of HIV/AIDS in India by 2030.
The programme collaborates with other ministries, such as Women & Child Development, Social Justice & Empowerment, and AYUSH, as well as international agencies like UNAIDS, WHO, CDC, and development partners. NACP’s consistent focus on high-risk populations and increasingly decentralized approach have been critical aspects.
Objectives of the National AIDS Control Program
- Prevent the spread of HIV infection in India
- Strengthen India’s capacity to respond to HIV/AIDS on a long-term basis
- Reduce stigma and discrimination towards People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV)
Key Components of the National AIDS Control Program
- Preventive Interventions
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- Targeted Interventions for High-Risk Groups
- Information, Education & Communication (IEC)
- Condom Promotion
- Blood Safety
- Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission
- Comprehensive Care, Support & Treatment
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- Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for eligible PLHIV
- Treatment for Opportunistic Infections
- HIV-TB Collaborative Activities
- Capacity Building
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- Training of Healthcare Workers
- Laboratory Services & Blood Banks
- Strategic Information Management
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- HIV Sentinel Surveillance
- HIV Estimations
Prevention Strategies Taken in National AIDS Control Program
- Targeted Interventions
- Focus on high-risk groups like female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), transgenders, injecting drug users (IDUs) and truckers
- Provides them with services like condom promotion, STI treatment, opioid substitution therapy (for IDUs), behavioural change communication
- Over 1800 targeted intervention projects across the country
- Information, Education & Communication (IEC)
- Multimedia campaigns to raise HIV/AIDS awareness
- Red Ribbon Express rail exhibition to disseminate info in remote areas
- Focuses on behaviour change, safe practices and reducing discrimination
- Condom Promotion
- Free distribution of condoms through social marketing
- Ensuring availability at non-traditional outlets like pharmacies, hotels, etc
- Promotion of correct and consistent condom use
- Blood Safety
- Screening of blood/blood products to ensure HIV-free supply
- Initiatives to reduce demand for blood through policies like bloodless surgery
- Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT)
- Offering HIV counselling and testing for pregnant women
- Providing antiretroviral prophylaxis for HIV-positive pregnant mothers
- Counselling on safe infant feeding practices
Achievements of the National AIDS Control Program
- Two national reference labs, 92 labs in the HIV lab network
- Estimated annual HIV incidence declined by 57% between 2000 and 2011
- Over 500 antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres provide free ART drugs across India.
- Expanded ART access with over 1 million PLHIVs receiving free treatment
- Established a nation-wide network of HIV counselling & testing facilities
- Annual HIV Sentinel Surveillance at facilities like antenatal clinics
- Scaled-up interventions among high-risk groups like sex workers, MSM, IDUs, etc.
Please Check Other Government Programmes
FAQs on National AIDS Control Program (NACP)
Ques-1: What is the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)?
The NACP is a comprehensive initiative launched in 1992 to prevent and control HIV/AIDS in India. It is implemented through 36 State AIDS Control Societies (SACS) and one Mumbai District AIDS Control Society in States/UTs.
Ques-2: What were the objectives of NACP I when it started in 1992?
NACP I aimed to slow down the spread of HIV infections to reduce morbidity, mortality, and the impact of AIDS in the country.
Ques-3: When was NACP II launched, and what were its objectives?
NACP II was launched in November 1999 to reduce the spread of HIV infection in India and increase the country’s capacity to respond to HIV/AIDS in the long term.
Ques-4: What was the goal of NACP III when it was launched in July 2007?
NACP III aimed to halt and reverse the HIV/AIDS epidemic over its five-year period.
Ques-5: What is the aim of NACP IV, launched in 2012?
NACP IV aims to accelerate the process of reversing the epidemic and further strengthen the response to HIV/AIDS.
Ques-6: How has the focus of NACP evolved over time?
The focus has shifted from raising awareness to behavior change, from a national response to a more decentralized response, and to increasing involvement of NGOs and networks of People living with HIV (PLHIV).
Ques-7: What are some key initiatives under NACP Phase-V?
Initiatives include the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Act (2017), Test and Treat Policy, Universal Viral Load Testing, Mission Sampark, Community-Based Screening, and transition to Dolutegravir-based Treatment Regimen.
Ques-8: What are Sampoorna Suraksha Kendras (SSK) under NACP Phase-V?
SSKs provide services through a single window model for those at risk for HIV and STI, covering the prevention-test-treat-care continuum.
Ques-9: How does NACP Phase-V enhance services for HIV and STI prevention and care?
It offers a holistic set of services customized to client’s needs, with strong linkages and referrals within and outside of health systems.
Ques-10: How does NACP Phase-V align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals?
NACP Phase-V aims to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 through a comprehensive package of prevention, detection, and treatment services.
