India
- Population: 1.2 billion
- People living with HIV: 2.4 million
- People receiving ART: 320,100
The Disease
India is one of the most populous countries in the world, second only to China.
While HIV prevalence in India is relatively low at 0.3%, in absolute terms this number represents millions of people living with HIV – the third largest HIV positive population after South Africa’s and Nigeria’s. In 2009, only 3.2% of Indian adults aged 15 to 49 had gotten tested for HIV in the past year.
AHF in India
Since beginning work in India in 2004, AHF has emerged as a preeminent HIV/AIDS organization, known for high quality treatment and support services, and for successful leadership in efforts to increase access to condoms, testing and treatment.
To bring free HIV testing to those most at risk, AHF operates a mobile testing van in New Delhi, which conducts regular outreach targeting migrant truckers, sex workers and injecting drug users.
AHF was the first care provider in India to introduce free ART for clients who’d developed resistance to medication. As a result of our advocacy efforts, the government began providing this second-line therapy as well.
Statistics from UNAIDS.org, 2011, unless otherwise stated.
