Health experts have stressed the urgent need to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission in India as part of the country’s efforts to achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

At the 17th National Conference of the AIDS Society of India (ASICON 2026), experts reviewed India’s progress in tackling HIV while highlighting the importance of strengthening the “last-mile” healthcare approach.

Significant progress in reducing transmission

According to Dr. Glory Alexander, President of the AIDS Society of India (ASI), India has made remarkable progress in reducing vertical transmission — the spread of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

“In the past, before preventive treatment was available, the risk of a newborn acquiring HIV ranged from 15 to 45 per cent,” she explained.

With the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and improved prevention guidelines, India has significantly lowered the rate of infant HIV diagnoses.

The country has reduced the rate of infant HIV infection due to vertical transmission to around 0.71 per cent, a major achievement in public health efforts.

However, experts emphasised that the goal now is to bring this number down to zero, ensuring that no child is born with HIV.

Need for stronger last-mile healthcare

India records an estimated 2.7 to 2.9 crore pregnancies every year, making comprehensive testing and treatment crucial.

Data from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) shows that about 83 per cent of pregnant women are tested for HIV, while 78 per cent are tested for syphilis.

Out of an estimated 19,000 pregnant women living with HIV, more than **16,000 have been connected to government healthcare programmes and treatment services.

NACO currently operates 794 antiretroviral therapy centres across India, providing free HIV treatment to nearly 18 lakh people living with HIV. Additionally, over 700 Suraksha Sewa Kendras offer preventive services for individuals at risk of infection.

Expanding testing and treatment access

Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Emeritus President of the AIDS Society of India, described India’s progress as commendable but stressed that intensified efforts are still required.

“To end AIDS, the last-mile approach must be accelerated and strengthened,” he said.

Experts emphasised the importance of increasing HIV testing among key populations, including men who have sex with men, transgender persons, sex workers, and people who inject drugs.

Studies show that HIV rates in these groups can be 9 to 43 times higher than in the general population, making targeted interventions essential.

Addressing advanced HIV disease

Another major challenge remains advanced HIV disease (AHD), which affects nearly one-third of people living with HIV in India.

According to the World Health Organization, AHD occurs when the immune system becomes severely weakened, increasing the risk of serious infections such as tuberculosis and cryptococcal meningitis.

Experts noted that many cases occur because individuals remain undiagnosed for long periods or struggle to maintain consistent treatment.

Strengthening early diagnosis, improving treatment adherence, and expanding awareness programmes will be critical for India to achieve its goal of ending AIDS by 2030.