Syllabus: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Overview
- AIDS emerged globally in the mid-1980s, devastating young adults in southern and eastern Africa.
- India faced rising HIV cases by the early 1990s, though adult prevalence stayed below 1%.
- Transmission occurred mainly through unprotected heterosexual contact, except in some north-eastern States with drug-linked needle sharing.
Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TNSACS) Model
- India launched the National AIDS Control Project in 1992 with World Bank assistance.
- States initially created AIDS Cells, but fund flow through government channels remained very slow.
- Tamil Nadu converted its AIDS Cell into TNSACS in 1994 under the Societies Registration Act.
- This allowed direct fund transfer, faster decision-making and greater administrative autonomy.
- Targeted campaigns raised awareness quickly, reducing new infections and stabilising cumulative HIV cases.
- The model’s success led the Centre and World Bank to replicate TNSACS nationwide during the second phase (1997–2002).
- India’s adult HIV prevalence declined from 0.54% in 2000 to 0.22% at present.
India’s TB Burden
- WHO’s Global TB Report 2025 shows India has 25% of the world’s TB cases.
- India also holds 25% of global MDR-TB cases, intensifying the health challenge.
- TB remains the most common opportunistic infection among HIV patients, causing 25% of AIDS deaths.
Policy Response
- India aimed to eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of the global 2030 target.
- Although the target is unmet, new TB cases are declining faster than global averages.
- The Ministry prioritises testing, reporting and treatment, supported by PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
Tamil Nadu’s New TB Model
- Five States i.e. UP, Maharashtra, MP, Bihar and Rajasthan reports 56% of India’s TB cases.
- Tamil Nadu became the first State to integrate a TB-death prediction model using ICMR-NIE software.
- Integrated screening, reporting, treatment and nutrition support strengthened outcomes.
- Strong coordination between the State NHM and the Central TB Office enabled rapid adoption.
- Tamil Nadu’s approach mirrors its earlier AIDS success and offers a scalable model for TB control.