HIV declining in India; New infections

HIV declining in India; New infectionsreduced by 50% from 2000-
2009; Sustained focus on prevention required.

The HIV estimates 2008-09 highlight an overall reduction in adult HIV prevalence and HIV
incidence (new infections) in India. Adult HIV prevalence at national level has declined from
0.41% in 2000 to 0.31% in 2009, although variations exist across the states. The estimated
number of new annual HIV infections has declined by more than 50% over the past decade.
Mr K Chandramouli, Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and
Director General, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) said, “As part of the Government
of India’s keen focus on generating strategic information towards stronger evidence-based
programming and result-oriented action, the National AIDS Control Organisation has reinforced
its commitment to quality data generation and utilisation. By scaling up the surveillance system
over the previous decade and drawing on technical expertise of national and international
organisations, quality and validity of the data generated by India under 2008-09 round of
surveillance, and the most recent estimates based on it, is ensured. The 2008-09 HIV estimates
will not only enable an assessment of the effectiveness and coverage of current HIV
interventions, but also support identification of potential areas where HIV is increasing.”
“India’s investments in the AIDS response are producing results,” said Mr Michel Sidibé,
Executive Director, UNAIDS. “India’s success comes from using an evidence-informed and
human rights-based approach that is backed by sustained political leadership and civil society
engagement. India must now strive to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment,
care and support.”
Improved methodology for generating HIV estimates
The 2008-09 India HIV estimates—developed by NACO with support from National Institute of
Medical Sciences, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, UNAIDS and WHO —
utilised improved methodology and updated epidemiological data from the latest rounds of HIV
Sentinel Surveillance and other information on High Risk Groups for more accurate
understanding of the Indian epidemic. The estimates were generated using Estimation
Projection Package and Spectrum Package, that had been customised using Indian data. This
methodology allows international comparison of the HIV estimates.