Topic: Perspectives on HIV Control in India: Policy landscape & future directions

Speaker: Shri N.S. Kang, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment

SPEAKER PROFILE: Shri Kang is a senior Indian Administrative Service officer from the 1983 Punjab cadre. Prior to joining IAS, he graduated from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and then obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the Punjab University. While in Service, he secured an M.Sc. in Social Policy & Planning from the London School of Economics.

In his administrative career spanning more than 30 years, Shri Kang has held various important positions in the Government of Punjab such as Financial Commissioner, Revenue; Pr. Secretary (Home); Secretary to Governor, etc. He also served in the Union Ministry of Health as a Director and then Joint Secretary, between 2000 and 2005. He also held the post of AS & DG, Central Government Health Scheme in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. He served as Secretary & DG, NACO and was influential in bringing about many key policy changes. Presently, Shri Kang is Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment.

ABOUT THE TOPIC: Dramatic progress has been made in response to the HIV epidemic in India. The prevalence of HIV infection has nearly halved in the past decade – yet challenges remain. Prevention focused policies, evidence-driven strategies, community-centric approaches, scale, multi-stakeholder response, and innovation have been the pillars of the response. A sustained response to HIV/AIDS needs to be ensured in view of the growing focus on a federal programme in financing of health care due to scarce resource availability & limited funding agencies in the HIV/AIDS area whose priorities are changing. There is a need of the national programme to reprioritise itself. Progress on Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 needs to be aligned with global targets on HIV/AIDS for 2020 (90:90:90) and 2030 (end of AIDS). The talk will give a policy maker’s perspective on the evolution of the programme, the key developments, as well as the challenges and future directions for the HIV/AIDS Control programme. .