The Government of India is providing free lifelong antiretroviral (ARV) medicines for people living with HIV irrespective of their economic conditions, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, said in Rajya Sabha, while replying to a question on December 13, 2022.

Under the National AIDS Control Programme, the government provide ARV medicines to 15.23 lakh people across the country, the Minister informed.

She further informed the members that the medicines are provided through 687 Antiretroviral Treatment Centres and 2161 Link Antiretroviral Treatment Centres across the country.

The Minister further said that the National AIDS Control Organisation is implementing multimedia campaigns along with mass media supported by outdoor media, including hoardings, bus panels, information kiosks, folk performances and exhibition vans to create awareness of HIV/AIDS and is promoting services/facilities across the country in its bid to spread awareness against the disease.

Additionally, at the inter-personal level, training and sensitisation programmes for Self-Help Groups, Anganwadi workers, ASHA, members of Panchayati Raj Institutions and other key stakeholders are carried out to spread awareness about treatment and other facilities, the Minister said.