National AIDS Control Programme

AIDS (acquired immuno deficiency syndrome) is a disease characterized by loss of the cellmediated immune response due to decreased number of certain T- lymphocyte. The causative agent has not been identified, but the disease is of viral origin. 

The National  AIDS Control Programme was initiated in the year 1986. The three major components of the programme include : 

1. Surveillance 
2. Screening of blood and blood products to ensure blood safety; and 
3. Information, Education and Communication. 

Objectives : The main objective of the programme was to arrest the pace of infection by stepping up (survey surveillance)  activities among the promiscuous individuals and providing the scope of social mobilisation through health education. The main objective of the programme is to: 

1. prevent HIV (virus) transmission in India; 
2. reduce morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection and minimise the social and economic impact resulting from HIV infection. 

To achieve the objectives the following activities are carried out : 

• Information, education and communication to groups practising high risk behaviour and general public; 
• prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STD); 
• prevention and treatment of transmission  through intravenous drug abusers; 
• prevention of transmission through blood and blood product; 
• strengthening of clinical management capabilities; and 
• programme management. 

Government of India during the VII plan period established 62 surveillance centres for screening persons practising high risk behaviours, 29 Zonal Blood Testing centres in 4 metropolitan cities of the country, namely Bombay, Madras, Calcutta and Delhi, and additional blood testing centres in 31 States Capitals/large cities for screening all pooled plasma for HIV infection. 

Government of India have already taken the needed precautions by issuing strict guidelines for all manufacturing units producing blood and blood products for strict compliance. Instructions have also been issued to all blood banks to screen all pooled plasma for HIV. Syphilis, Hepatitis and Malaria and any sample detected positive for the virus should be discarded forthwith. Necessary hospital infection control guidelines to all medical institutions and establishments in the country have been issued for strict observance.