Stunning drop! India reports 49% fall in annual new HIV cases
The Indian government has announced that the country recorded a nearly 49 per cent decline in annual new HIV infections between 2010 and 2024.
The data shared by the National AIDS Control Programme showed that during the same period 81.4% reduction in AIDS-related deaths was reported.
During the same period, 74.6% decline in mother-to-child HIV transmission was reported.
The data was shared by the Indian government ahead of the World AIDS Day 2025.
India’s Progress Under NACP-V
India continues to demonstrate substantial progress under the current phase of the National AIDS Control Programme:
HIV testing increased from 4.13 crore (2020–21) to 6.62 crore (2024–25)
Access to antiretroviral treatment rose from 14.94 lakh to 18.60 lakh PLHIV in the same time period
Viral load testing nearly doubled from 8.90 lakh to 15.98 lakh in the same period
On this year’s World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization (WHO), meanwhile, called on governments and partners to expand access to new WHO-approved tools, including lenacapavir (LEN) to drive down infections and counter disruptions caused by cuts to foreign aid.
Progress in prevention
“We face significant challenges, with cuts to international funding, and prevention stalling," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“At the same time, we have significant opportunities, with exciting new tools with the potential to change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic.”
Despite dramatic funding setbacks, the global HIV response has gained momentum in 2025, according to WHO.
The organization prequalified LEN, a highly effective twice-yearly injectable for HIV prevention, in October this year. This was followed by national regulatory approvals to increase access in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
WHO is also working closely with partners to enable affordable access to LEN in countries.
“By pairing these advances with decisive action, supporting communities, and removing structural barriers, we can ensure that key and vulnerable populations have full access to life-saving services,” said Tereza Kasaeva, who heads the organization’s department for HIV and other diseases.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
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