Tamil Nadu has achieved the National AIDS Control Programme’s 95-95-95 targets for 2026–27, Health Minister Dr. G. K. Arunraj said at the launch of an intensified HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections awareness campaign in Chennai on Monday. The state’s HIV prevalence has also fallen from 0.40% in 2010 to 0.19% in 2023, according to the minister.
The 95-95-95 targets require 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of diagnosed people to receive antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression. Arunraj said the verified data for Tamil Nadu’s performance had been documented on the national SOCH portal.
The campaign, organised by the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society, began with a two-wheeler awareness rally, a signature campaign and a pledge involving government officials, non-governmental organisation representatives and students. The minister also released an awareness short film and informational posters, inaugurated Red Ribbon Clubs in 20 colleges and launched life-skills education programmes in 20 schools.
Tamil Nadu’s HIV response is supported by 311 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres funded by the National AIDS Control Organisation, 403 centres supported by the National Health Mission and 2,656 primary screening facilities operating through government primary health centres and hospitals. Free antiretroviral treatment and care are available through 58 government and district hospital ART centres, 28 private medical college hospitals and 172 link ART centres.
Approximately 155,043 people are currently receiving antiretroviral treatment in the state, the minister said. The state also works with 104 targeted-intervention non-governmental organisations that engage with groups identified as being at higher risk, including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, transgender persons, long-distance truck drivers and migrant workers.
The programme includes lifelong antiretroviral treatment and counselling for infected mothers, along with immediate post-birth antiretroviral prophylaxis for newborns. The stated objective is to eliminate the vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.
The state government has also announced higher monthly assistance for children affected by HIV/AIDS under the 2026–27 Health Department demand grants. From November, HIV-positive double orphans will receive ₹3,000 a month, single orphans ₹2,000 and children living with their parents ₹1,500. Non-infected children who have lost both parents to HIV/AIDS will receive ₹1,500 a month. The revised assistance is backed by an additional allocation of ₹1.21 crore.
The intensified information, education and communication campaign is being conducted nationwide from August 12 to October 12 under NACO guidelines. In Tamil Nadu, activities include human chains, flash mobs, Red Run marathons and gram panchayat pledges across districts. The campaign will continue with participation from youth, educators, health personnel and community organisations as the state pursues its goal of zero new infections and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of an AIDS-free society by 2030.
