Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda on Sunday said that the number of new HIV cases in India has decreased by 44 percent since 2010 which is higher than the global reduction rate of 39 percent.

"There has also been a 79% decline in deaths due to AIDS," he said.

Nadda made the comments while inaugurating the World AIDS Day 2024 event.

In keeping with the World AIDS Day 2024 theme, ‘Take the rights path’, JP Nadda reflected on the Government of India's ongoing commitment to safeguarding the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, emphasizing legal protections, healthcare access, and societal change.

He said, “World AIDS Day is a moment to reiterate that we are all together in the fight against AIDS as well as to remember and re-dedicate the efforts of those people who have fought against this disease and lost their loved ones as well.”

The Union Minister highlighted the government's unwavering approach to tackling HIV/AIDS, citing the ongoing Phase V of the National AIDS and STD Control Program.

Nadda underscored the importance of treating HIV positive people with a human angle.

Highlighting that every person has the right to a dignified life, he urged everyone to include people with HIV in the mainstream.

“Contrary to some beliefs, any person with HIV can live lifelong today and can also have a healthy child without HIV infection,” he said.

He noted that India has adopted a 90-90-90 target for combating AIDS which includes the target of detecting 90% cases of AIDS in the country, 90% of people to be treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 90% to have their viral load suppressed.

He stated that this target was later increased to 95-95-95, out of which 81% people with AIDS have been identified, 88% are being given ART and viral load of 97% identified people has been suppressed.