Tamil Nadu Achieves Key National HIV Targets: Health Minister
Through continuous collaboration between the state government and civil society organizations, HIV prevalence dropped from 0.40% in 2010 to 0.19% in 2023, effectively cutting the infection rate by more than half
CHENNAI: Minister for Health, Medical Education, and Family Welfare, Dr. G. K. Arunraj, inaugurated a state-level intensified awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Chennai on Monday.
Organised by the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS), the event featured the launch of a two-wheeler awareness rally, a signature campaign, and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp.
During the proceedings, government officials, non-governmental organisation representatives, and school and college students administered an awareness pledge led by the Minister. Minister Arunraj also released an awareness short film and informational posters, inaugurated new Red Ribbon Clubs across 20 colleges, launched life skills education programmes in 20 schools, and distributed prizes and certificates to 41 winners of state- and district-level online quiz competitions.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister highlighted the significant strides made by Tamil Nadu in controlling the epidemic. Through continuous collaboration between the state government and civil society organizations, HIV prevalence dropped from 0.40% in 2010 to 0.19% in 2023, effectively cutting the infection rate by more than half.
Minister Arunraj announced that for the 2026–2027 financial year, Tamil Nadu has successfully achieved the National AIDS Control Programme Phase-V (NACP-V) "95-95-95" targets—ensuring that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression. The verified data reflecting this achievement has been documented on the national SOCH portal.
The Minister detailed the state's healthcare infrastructure supporting this success, noting the operation of 311 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres funded by NACO, 403 centres supported by the National Health Mission, and 2,656 primary screening facilities functioning across government primary health centres and hospitals.
Comprehensive, free care is provided through 58 ART centres located in government and district hospitals, 28 private medical college hospitals, and 172 link ART centres, benefiting approximately 155,043 individuals currently receiving antiretroviral treatment.
Further, 104 targeted intervention NGOs work closely with high-risk groups—including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, transgender persons, long-distance truck drivers, and migrant workers—to drive behavioral change. Lifelong ART and counselling are also provided to infected mothers alongside immediate post-birth ARV prophylaxis for newborns to eliminate vertical transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B.
To safeguard the social welfare, health, and uninterrupted education of vulnerable children, the state government has enhanced monthly financial assistance under the 2026–27 Health Department demand grants.
Beginning this November, monthly aid for HIV-positive double orphans will rise to ₹3,000, while single orphans will receive ₹2,000, and children living with their parents will receive ₹1,500. Non-infected children who have lost both parents to HIV/AIDS will also receive an increased grant of ₹1,500 per month, backed by an additional allocation of ₹1.21 crore.
The Minister emphasized that the ongoing Intensified IEC Campaign—conducted nationwide from Aug. 12 to Oct. 12 under NACO guidelines—has mobilized communities across all districts through human chains, flash mobs, Red Run marathons, and gram panchayat pledges held on India's 80th Independence Day.
Reaffirming the state's commitment to achieving zero new infections, he urged youth, educators, and health personnel to work together toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of creating an "AIDS-free society" by 2030.
The event was attended by Health Secretary Dr. Darez Ahamed, TANSACS Project Director R. Seethalakshmi, Greater Chennai Corporation Deputy Commissioner (Health) Ghadge Rao and other senior public health directors and medical administrators.
