Chandigarh (Naval Kishore): The 59th Executive Committee meeting of the Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society on Friday reviewed ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, with a renewed focus on strengthening treatment linkages and improving programme outcomes in the Union Territory.
The meeting was chaired by Mandip Singh Brar, who directed officials to prioritise achieving the critical “second 95” target under the national HIV strategy—ensuring that all diagnosed People Living with HIV (PLHIV) are promptly initiated on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and retained in care.
Officials discussed gaps in performance indicators and conducted a detailed root cause analysis to identify actionable strategies. Emphasis was placed on immediate counselling of newly diagnosed patients to ensure early treatment initiation and long-term adherence, thereby reducing cases of loss to follow-up.
During the meeting, Dr Sadbhavna Pandit presented a comprehensive review of programme performance and outlined targeted interventions to bridge existing gaps.
The committee also stressed the need for stronger collaboration with the Indian Medical Association to involve private practitioners in expanding access to HIV testing and treatment services.
A key highlight was the presentation of the “Ratri AIDS Suraksha Abhiyaan,” a night outreach initiative aimed at reaching vulnerable populations through coordinated efforts with NGOs and micro-level planning.
Officials also reviewed the national “Mission AIDS Suraksha,” which aims to achieve the 95-95-99 targets and eliminate vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. The mission targets achieving key milestones by December 2026 and overall HIV epidemic control by 2027.
Reiterating the administration’s commitment, Brar called for intensified outreach, increased testing, and stronger community engagement to accelerate progress toward controlling the HIV epidemic in Chandigarh.
