National AIDS Control Programme Phase – IV

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a gross budgetary support of Rs. 8632.77 crore for implementation of the National AIDS Control Programme Phase-IV by the Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 

NACP IV will integrate with other national programmes and align with overall 12th Five Year Plan goals of inclusive growth and development. Having initiated the process of reversal in several high prevalent areas with continued emphasis on prevention, the next phase of NACP will focus on accelerating the reversal process and ensure integration of the programme response. 

The main objective of NACP IV is to: 

i. Reduce new infections by 50 percent (2007 Baseline of NACP III). 

ii. Provide comprehensive care and support to all persons living with HIV/AIDS and treatment services for all those who require it. 

This will be achieved through the following strategies:- 

i. Intensifying and consolidating prevention services with a focus on (a) high-risk groups and vulnerable population and (b) general population. 

ii. Expanding Information, Education and Communication (IEC) services for (a) general population and (b) High-Risk Groups (HRGS) with a focus on behaviour change and demand generation. 

iii. Increasing access and promoting comprehensive Care, Support and Treatment (CST) 

iv. Building capacities at National, State, District and facility levels 

v. Strengthening Strategic Information Management Systems. 

Background: 
In 1992, the Government launched the first National AIDS Control Programme (NACP I) and in 1998 NACP II was initiated. Based on the learning from NACP I and II, the Government designed and Implemented NACP III (2007-2012) with an objective to "halt and reverse the HIV epidemic In India" by the end of the project. There is a steady decline in overall prevalence and nearly 50 percent decrease in new infections over the last ten years. NACP IV aims to consolidate the gains of NACP III. 

NACP III has given desired results and has been quoted as a global success. 

The Department of AIDS Control has been working closely with the Department of Health and Family Welfare towards integration of HIV/AIDS services into the larger health system, with the objective of optimal utilization of existing NRHM/RCH resources for strengthening NACP services, and vice versa.