India can reach AIDS elimination target with a little more effort

NAIDS India country director David Bridger spoke about how the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 looks globally, and also for India.

- Rhythma Kaul

In an interview to Rhythma Kaul on the World AIDS Day, he also lauded the Indian government for the progress it made over the last decade that has put the country on a path to ending AIDS.

Edited excerpts:

What are the big takeaways from the UNAIDS HIV/AIDS report?

Globally, response is having an impact; we are progressively seeing progress since past 10-12 years.

But is that enough to make the 2030 target (of eliminating AIDS), no, it's not.

So, we really do need to see accelerated progress.

There are just about four countries that can say they have achieved the 2030 goal, and another 17 countries probably well and truly on the way and likely to make it but that still leaves three-quarters of the countries not meeting the goals.