Guwahati, February 25 – India’s ambitious fight against HIV takes a decisive turn with Mission AIDS Suraksha aiming to achieve full control over the virus by December 1, 2027. Rakesh Gupta, Director General of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), announced this goal during the opening session of a crucial three-day review meeting focused on implementing the National AIDS and STI Control Programme in North-Eastern states.
The North-East region remains a high-priority area in India’s national HIV response. Out of 219 high-priority districts across the country, 60 are located here, excluding Sikkim. Gupta emphasized that this Guwahati workshop marks the launch of an intensive, region-specific review and action-planning exercise to accelerate progress in these critical districts.
As Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Gupta highlighted the meeting’s objective: strengthening district-level planning and execution strategies to fast-track national HIV control targets. Meghalaya is actively participating, with discussions centering on boosting efforts in its high-priority districts – East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, and West Jaintia Hills.
This initiative is part of a broader national push. Eleven regional workshops named ‘Suraksha Sankalp Karjshala’ are scheduled across India during February-March 2026, covering all 219 high-priority districts. The Guwahati event kicks off the series, bringing together representatives from 60 districts across seven North-Eastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.
Over the three days, district-level officials are deliberating customized strategies to meet the global 95-95-99 targets. These ensure that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 99% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
The meeting comprehensively reviews NACP implementation in the region, focusing on enhancing district ownership, assessing micro-level performance indicators, identifying implementation gaps, and crafting improvement action plans tailored to local epidemiological trends. Senior officials, including project directors from State AIDS Control Societies and regional program leaders, are in attendance. Conducted in three batches, it enables focused, state-specific discussions.
This collaboration is expected to yield clear, actionable roadmaps aligned with each state’s epidemiological profile. It reinforces the Government of India’s firm commitment to viewing HIV/AIDS as a public health threat and advancing the goals of Mission AIDS Suraksha, paving the way for a healthier future.