The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), has been observing World AIDS Day annually on December 1 since 1992.World AIDS Day 2024 serves as a reminder of the work that remains to be done to eliminate HIV/AIDS.
About HIV Virus
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): It attacks and destroys the CD4 cells of the immune system. CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell that play a major role in protecting the body from infection.
- HIV belongs to the Retrovirus family: Retroviruses have their instructions written on Ribonucleic acid (RNA). When a retrovirus invades cells, it changes its RNA to look like cells’ instructions (Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)).
2024 Theme: “Take the rights path: My health, my right!”
The theme for World AIDS Day 2024, “Take the rights path: My health, my right!” emphasizes the importance of healthcare access and the empowerment of individuals in managing their health.
HIV status in India
- Over 2.4 million people living with HIV in India, 3rd largest in the world.
- New HIV cases in India have decreased by 44% since 2010 which is higher than the global reduction rate of 39%.
