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Maharashtra's HIV Fight: 6 Districts Go 'Surakshit'
11 Oct
Summary
- Six Maharashtra districts achieved all three HIV 95:95:95 targets.
- These districts now fall into the 'Surakshit' category under the MAS initiative.
- Maharashtra aims to have all 36 districts 'Surakshit' by the end of 2026.
In a remarkable public health achievement, six districts in Maharashtra have advanced to the 'Surakshit' category, meeting all three critical HIV 95:95:95 targets. Dhule, Nandurbar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Chandrapur, and Sangli achieved this status in September 2026 under the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) initiative. This progress signifies a crucial step in the state's comprehensive HIV/AIDS response.
These 'Surakshit' districts have successfully ensured that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression. These benchmarks align with the World Health Organization's global aim to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 and India's national target for 2026. The state is committed to seeing all 36 districts achieve 'Surakshit' status by December 2026.
Maharashtra's strategy involves intensifying testing among vulnerable populations, public awareness campaigns, and engaging private healthcare providers. Initiatives like index testing and the Moonlight Campaign, which conducts community health programs at night, have been instrumental in expanding case detection. The state's district machinery, encompassing collectors, health officials, and various support staff, plays a central role in implementing these crucial public health measures.
