NACP-3 to focus on district level surveillance and care

[Guest guest]

NACP-3 to focus on district level surveillance and care

ECONOMY BUREAU, Posted online: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at 0000

hours IST

NEW DELHI, AUG 8: With an aim to strengthen the surveillance

against HIV/AIDS and to provide better care to the affected, the

National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)-III will focus on district

level projects.

National AIDS Control Organisation (Naco) director general Sujatha

Rao said, " The thrust of the third phase would be to target the

district level population, as awareness about the disease is low in

these areas and much of the high-risk population stays there. "

The new phase would also see access to anti retroviral therapy only

at district health centres and hospitals as the treatment is

complicated and requires continuous supervision, she said.

Emphasis would also be on strengthening the infrastructure of Naco

and the states AIDS control societies to meet future requirements.

The programme is likely to be aligned with the 11th Five Year Plan

and would continue from 2007 to 2012.

Rao said at present funding related issues are being worked out and

talks are on with various international funding agencies.

Negotiations will be finalised by September.

Teams from the World Bank and Department for International

Development, UK are in India to work out a funding pattern for the $

2.5 billion national resource plan for NACP-III. Talks are also on

with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to provide part of the

funds.

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=136668