"Family Planning Association of India celebrate 26th World AIDS Day

MUMBAI, India - Dec. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- Family Planning Association of India celebrates the 26th anniversary of World AIDS Day. First observed in 1988,world AIDS Day was initiated by health ministers from around the world who called for a spirit of social tolerance and a greater awareness of HIV/AIDS on an international scale. Mrs. Sujatha Natarajan, President-FPA India, Mrs. Anjali Sen, Regional Director- South Asia, IPPF & Mr. Tewodros Melesse, Director General- IPPF were presented at the Event.The theme for this year's observance is, "Getting to Zero" - meaning zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS related deaths. The special theme, which will be repeated until 2015, focuses on "Zero AIDS Related Deaths" and signifies a push towards greater access to treatment for all. Perhaps more importantly, it also calls upon governments to keep the commitments they have made to fight the deadly disease.

" With an aim for ZERO HIV infections, ZERO discrimination, and ZERO AIDS related deaths…"

Although AIDS remains one of the world’s most serious health challenges, global solidarity in the AIDS response during the past decade continues to generate extraordinary health gains. Historic success in bringing HIV programmes to scale – combined with the emergence of powerful new tools to prevent people from becoming infected and from dying from AIDS-related causes – has enabled the foundation to be laid for the eventual end of AIDS. Although much of the news on AIDS is encouraging, challenges remain. In 2012, 60% more people have accessed lifesaving HIV treatment, with a corresponding drop in mortality. New infection rates have fallen by 50% or more in 25 countries. Half of all the reductions in HIV infections in the past two years have been among children; this has strengthened conviction that achieving an AIDS-free generation is not only possible, but imminent.

FPA India’s Contribution

FPA India a Non Governmental Organisation working in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health over the 60 years started its work with HIV and AIDS in 1990 and is contributing substantially in reaching out to the communities they work with and ensure a comprehensive, integrated model within the larger sexual reproductive health framework.Besides this, FPA India also implements projects supported by other donors like Morris foundation, Aum Foundation and  Japan Trust Fund at seven locations.
Today, working in partnership with the GOI, under their public private partnership, 27 Integrated Counselling & Testing Centres (ICTCs) are functioning in the FPA India clinics, 18 Targeted Intervention Projects are being implemented with support from the state governments and international donors to provide services to the high risk groups such as sex workers, IDUs, MSM, migrant workers and transgender.