New Delhi, June 23 (). India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, P Harish, presented India’s side in the high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS. India reiterated its new pledge to recognize AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. He informed about India’s efforts towards this goal by implementing the National AIDS and STD Control Programme.
During this, the importance of equal access for all to affordable medicines, diagnostics and new technology was emphasized. Additionally, emphasis was also laid on flexibility under the TRIPS Agreement to ensure access to life-saving medicines.
P Harish, speaking for India, said, “India aligns itself with the spirit of global solidarity reflected in the Draft Political Declaration and welcomes efforts to build consensus on a forward-looking and action-based outcome. As we approach the 2030 deadline, the global HIV response is at a critical juncture. Although much progress has been made over the past two decades, persistent inequities, lack of funding and “Emerging global challenges continue to threaten these gains. We therefore support the Declaration’s renewed commitment to recognize AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and beyond.”
He said that at the national level, India is fully committed to this goal by implementing the National AIDS and STD Control Programme, which is guided by evidence-based planning, community engagement and integrated service delivery. Through sustained domestic investment, India has made significant progress in reducing new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, and expanding access to prevention, testing, treatment, care, and support services.
The Indian representative said India particularly welcomed country-led strategies, sustainable financing, and the emphasis placed on integrating HIV services into broader health systems and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) frameworks.
He said India believes that to ensure long-term sustainability, efforts to combat HIV at the national level must be led by the countries concerned, tailored to local epidemiological circumstances, and supported by predictable financing and strong health systems.
P Harish said, “India attaches great importance to eliminating vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis. We have launched a triple elimination strategy for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B in pregnant women, based on universal antenatal screening, timely treatment linkage and follow-up of infected children. Welcome the commitment.”
We also support the emphasis on strengthening integrated responses to HIV, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and other co-infections, recognizing that such approaches improve health outcomes and increase program efficiency, he said.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN said that India also emphasizes the importance of equal access for all to affordable medicines, diagnostics and new technology. The use of flexibilities available under the WTO TRIPS Agreement is critical to ensuring access to life-saving health products, especially for developing countries.
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KK/PM
