Six Maharashtra districts reach 'Surakshit' category in HIV control drive, 23 more rated 'Saksham'

Maharashtra is stressing stronger and more effective HIV prevention, testing, treatment, care and support services. The state is running the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha (MAS) campaign for this. In just six months of the campaign, six districts, Dhule, Nandurbar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Chandrapur and Sangli, have met all three targets and entered the 'Surakshit' (safe) category. Another 23 districts have moved up to the 'Saksham' (capable) category by meeting two of the three targets.

The campaign is being run across the country by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). In Maharashtra it began on April 7, 2026. Before that, one district in the state was in the 'Saksham' category, while 35 districts were in the 'Sangharshrat' (struggling) category.

The categories work as follows. A district meeting none or only one of the three 95:95:95 targets is considered 'Sangharshrat'. A district meeting any two is 'Saksham', and one meeting all three is 'Surakshit'. A district that meets all three targets and also brings mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B to zero is placed in the 'Surakshit+' category.

Under the National AIDS Control Programme, the first 95 means that 95 per cent of all people living with HIV should know their infection status. Under the second 95, 95 per cent of those found infected should be on continuous antiretroviral treatment (ART). Under the third 95, 95 per cent of those on treatment should have their viral load suppressed and under control.

For the first target, a 'Moonlight Campaign' was run in the districts under the effective index testing and targeted intervention project. Emphasis was also placed on involving private medical professionals and on sensitisation training, for early detection of infection, timely referral services and linking the people concerned to testing and treatment.

For the second target, efforts continue to link all newly diagnosed people living with HIV to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in time. Beneficiaries who dropped out of treatment are being brought back to treatment and care services through regular follow-up, counselling and coordination among agencies.

To strengthen the third target, regular viral load testing is being carried out, reports received are being examined in time, and necessary treatment and counselling services are being provided. Regular follow-up is being done to keep beneficiaries连续 on treatment and suppress viral load. The progress involves the district collectors, chief executive officers of zilla parishads, civil surgeons, district health officers, the district AIDS prevention and control units, ICTC and FICTC centres, ART centres, targeted intervention projects, outreach workers, counsellors, laboratory technicians and many partner organisations. In the remaining districts, emphasis is being placed on coordination among agencies, regular review, beneficiary-centred service and effective action.

All 36 districts of the state have set a goal of meeting these targets by December 1, 2026. Dr Sunil Bhokare, Urban Health Commissioner and Project Director of the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society, said the campaign is moving Maharashtra firmly towards achieving the targets.

Health Minister Prakash Abitkar congratulated everyone on the achievement. He said that through the Mobilisation for AIDS Suraksha campaign six districts have entered the 'Surakshit' category and 23 the 'Saksham' category, and he warmly congratulated all health agencies, officers, staff and partner organisations for this remarkable performance.