Government response to HIV/AIDS in India.

Abstract

There are many AIDS cases and people infected with HIV in India. While the government responded to the AIDS pandemic faster than it has to any other disease or health issue including family planning the response was slower than ideal. There are many related problems in India which are changing only gradually. Despite the widespread nature of HIV infection in India much can still be done to reduce the impact of the epidemic upon the population. India must sensitize its politicians to the serious nature of the problem and develop nongovernmental organizations which can become involved. Politicians can then effectively mobilize the health sector. While governments are expected to enable its people to understand how to avoid the risk of HIV transmission thereby reducing the chance of infection it is clear that the government of India cannot by itself control HIV through legislation or programs. The authors also note that the central and state governments have been hampered in their efforts by existing public health problems and the lack of reliable information to apply to intervention programs for change. Accurate and reliable epidemiological data are needed. The authors describe the existing health status and infrastructure of the nation outline the initial response to the AIDS pandemic and discuss some specific intervention projects legislative aspects of HIV infection and the financial details of AIDS control activity in India.