National AIDS Control Organisation

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NACO logo

National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), established in 1992, is a division of India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that provides leadership to HIV/AIDS control programmes in India through 34 HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Societies. NACO's primary objective is to implement the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) with a focus on HIV prevention, care, support, and treatment.

Overview

NACO envisions an India where every person living with HIV/AIDS has access to quality care and is treated with dignity. Effective prevention, care, and support for HIV/AIDS is a national priority. The organisation coordinates and implements the National AIDS Control Programme which is currently in its fourth phase (NACP-IV) aiming to reduce new infections and provide comprehensive care and support to all persons living with HIV/AIDS.

History

The first case of HIV was detected in India in 1986, and by 1992, recognizing the need for a national response to the emerging epidemic, the Government of India established NACO. Since its inception, NACO has been at the forefront of India's response to HIV/AIDS. The organisation has implemented multiple phases of the National AIDS Control Programme, each with specific objectives and strategies tailored to the evolving nature of the HIV epidemic in India.

Programmes and Strategies

NACO implements a range of programmes and strategies to combat HIV/AIDS in India. These include:

• HIV surveillance and epidemiological data collection
• Promotion of safe behaviours to prevent HIV transmission
• Provision of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for people living with HIV/AIDS
• Prevention of parent-to-child transmission (PPTCT) of HIV
• Targeted interventions for high-risk groups such as sex workers, intravenous drug users, and men who have sex with men
• Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS interventions into other health and developmental programmes

Achievements

NACO has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in India. The organisation has successfully expanded access to HIV counselling and testing services, increased the availability of antiretroviral therapy, and reduced the HIV transmission rate. NACO's efforts have contributed to a decline in the estimated adult HIV prevalence in India.

Challenges

Despite its achievements, NACO faces several challenges, including the need to further reduce new HIV infections, improve access to ART, and address the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS.

Future Directions

NACO aims to continue its efforts to control and eventually eliminate HIV/AIDS in India. This includes enhancing the effectiveness of prevention programmes, expanding access to treatment, care, and support, and integrating HIV/AIDS services with other health and welfare programmes.

See Also

• HIV/AIDS in India
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Antiretroviral Therapy
• Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS