Current Affairs | Source : The Hindu

Background: Global AIDS Crisis

• In the mid-1980s, AIDS (caused by HIV) devastated countries in southern and eastern Africa.

• With no treatment then, most HIV-infected individuals developed AIDS within a few years.

• Death occurred due to opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis (TB) and diarrhoea.

India’s Situation in Early 1990s

• HIV had spread to almost all parts of India (but adult prevalence <1%).

• Transmission:

  • Mainly unprotected heterosexual sex

  • Needle sharing in some north-eastern States

• India launched the National AIDS Control Project (1992) with World Bank support ($84 million).

Tamil Nadu’s Leadership: The TNSACS Model

Problem

• Fund flow from Centre → State → AIDS cells was very slow.

Solution (1994): Creation of TNSACS

• Tamil Nadu converted its AIDS Cell into a registered society under the Societies Registration Act.

• TNSACS (Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society) received funds directly, allowing:

  • Faster implementation

  • Greater autonomy

  • Quicker awareness campaigns

Impact

• Rapid awareness creation reduced new infections.

• Tamil Nadu, once a “hot spot”, saw infections flatten.

• The TNSACS model was replicated across all States under the Second National AIDS Control Project (1997–2002).

Result: National HIV Progress

• India’s adult HIV prevalence fell from 0.54% (2000) to 0.22% (present).

India’s TB Situation — Key Points from WHO Global TB Report 2025

• India accounts for 25% of global TB infections (9 million out of 36 million).

• India has 7.5% of the world’s HIV-positive population.

• TB = most common opportunistic infection in HIV patients in India.

• 25% of AIDS deaths in India are due to TB.

• India also has 25% of global MDR-TB cases.

India’s Response to TB Epidemic

Ambitious National Target

• Global TB elimination target → 2030

• India aimed for → 2025 (but target not achieved)

Positive Trend

• Rate of decline in India’s new TB cases is faster than global average.

Government Measures

• High priority for testing, reporting, early detection.

• Support through Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTBMBA):

  • Treatment

  • Nutrition support

  • Community participation

  • CSR involvement

Tamil Nadu Leads Again — TB Prediction Model

State Variations in TB

• 5 States contribute 56% of India’s TB cases:

  • Uttar Pradesh

  • Maharashtra

  • Madhya Pradesh

  • Bihar

  • Rajasthan

Tamil Nadu’s Innovation

• Tamil Nadu became the first State to integrate a TB mortality prediction model with its screening app.

• Model developed by ICMR-NIE (National Institute of Epidemiology).

How It Helps

• Predicts risk of death among TB patients early.

• Helps target follow-up, nutrition support, and treatment effectively.

Why TN is a Model for India

• Rapid adoption of technology.

• Strong coordination between:

  • State National Health Mission

  • Central TB Office

• Efficient service delivery → same success pattern seen earlier with TNSACS during HIV control.