The AIDS Society of India (ASI) has called on the government to swiftly integrate HIV self-testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications into national policies and programs aimed at combating the spread of HIV. PrEP, a preventive measure for those at risk of contracting HIV, and self-testing could significantly improve early diagnosis and treatment, the organization emphasized. According to ASI, one in five individuals living with HIV in India remain unaware of their status.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advocated for HIV self-testing as a crucial tool in closing the diagnosis gap, particularly among vulnerable populations, since 2019. Dr. Ishwar Gilada, President-Emeritus of the AIDS Society of India, stressed the importance of ensuring that every person living with HIV is aware of their status.
“Achieving this would allow them access to the full spectrum of HIV care and enable them to maintain viral suppression, which is vital for their health and for preventing further transmission of the virus,” he said. Government data from the National AIDS Control Organisation’s (NACO) 2023 ‘Sankalak report’ reveals that 79% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in India were aware of their condition, with 86% of those on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 93% achieving viral suppression. This means that approximately 63% of all PLHIV in the country were virally suppressed by 2023, falling short of the target of 86% by 2025.
Dr. Gilada noted India’s pivotal r.