Tamil Nadu meets National AIDS Control Programme-Phase V 95-95-95 target, says Health Minister

Key facts

• Tamil Nadu achieved the National AIDS Control Programme-Phase V (NACP-V) target of 95-95-95 during 2026-27, meaning 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression; officials said the target was achieved in September 2026.
• HIV/AIDS prevalence in Tamil Nadu has halved, dropping from 0.40% in 2010 to 0.19% in 2023.
• Currently, 1,63,151 people are under treatment in the State, with 311 integrated counselling and testing centres (ICTC) funded by the National AIDS Control Organisation, 403 ICTCs funded by the National Health Mission, and 2,656 testing facilities at primary health centres and government hospitals.
• Free HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services are provided through ART centres in 58 government health facilities, 28 ART centres in private medical college hospitals, and 172 linked ART centres; 104 NGOs work with high-risk groups.
• Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B is a key priority, and babies born to HIV-positive women receive a prophylactic ART dose soon after birth.
• The State enhanced monthly financial assistance for children affected by HIV/AIDS — ₹3,000 for children living with HIV who lost both parents, ₹2,000 for those who lost one parent, ₹1,500 for those living with parents, and ₹1,500 for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS but not infected — with an additional ₹1.21 crore allocated, benefiting children from November onward.
• Red Ribbon Clubs have been set up in 2,329 colleges through the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS), and life skills education training is imparted to students of classes VIII, IX, and XI in 9,830 schools.