In line with the WHO direction, the Government will soon launch a ‘test and treat policy’ ensuring anti-retroviral therapy (ART) as soon as a person is tested and found to be HIV positive.
The treatment will begin irrespective of his medical status. “This will be for all positives men, women, adolescents and children. This will improve longevity, improve quality of life of those infected and will save them from many opportunistic infections, especially TB,” said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday at an event here.
He also said that out of 21 lakh estimated with HIV, almost seven lakh are missing ie not getting treatment. To detect them, we have revised national HIV testing guidelines and are aiming to reach out to them and test them where they are, of course with proper counseling and consent, the Minister added. India has pledged “ending AIDS by 2030” as a part of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).