Office of the Project Director Andaman & Nicobar AIDS Control Society (ANACS)

Welcome to Andaman & Nicobar AIDS Control Society

Andaman & Nicobar AIDS Cell started in the year 1992 as a 100% centrally sponsored scheme under the Directorate of Health Services. It was registered as Society under the Societies Registration Act 1860 on 30th October 1998 as Andaman & Nicobar AIDS Control Society (ANACS) under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Health).

ANACS fully funded by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) which is a division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Central Government of India. The Programs of ANACS are governed by the guidelines of National AIDS Control Program (NACP).

The first Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection was detected in the city of Chennai in 1986 while the first case of AIDS identified soon after in the city of Mumbai. Since then, HIV infection has been reported in all States and Union Territories.

India had responded promptly to the HIV&AIDS challenge at the initial stage itself by setting up an AIDS Task Force under the Indian Council of Medical Research and a National AIDS Committee headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

For prevention and control of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in India, the first National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) was launched in 1992.

With the evolving trends of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the focus shifted from raising HIV/AIDS awareness to behaviour change, from a national response to a more decentralised response and to increasing involvement of NGOs and networks of people living with HIV (PLHIV), and the subsequent phases of NACP were launched and implemented

The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), launched in 1992, is being implemented as a comprehensive programme for prevention and control of HIV&AIDS in India. Over time, the focus has shifted from just raising awareness to behaviour change; from a national response to a more decentralized response, to increasing involvement of NGOs and networks of PLHIV and mainstreaming with other Ministries/Departments and industries.

The evolution of National AIDS Control Programme:

NACP 1 (1992-99): In 1992, the Government launched the first National AIDS Control Programme (NACPI) and demonstrated its commitment to combat the disease. NACP I was implemented with an objective of slowing down the spread of HIV infections so as to reduce morbidity, mortality and impact of AIDS in the country. National AIDS Control Board (NACB) was constituted and an autonomous National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) was set up to implement the project. The first phase focused on awareness generation, setting up surveillance system for monitoring HIV epidemic, measures to ensure access to safe blood and preventive services for high risk group populations.

NACP II (1999- 2006): ): In November 1999, the second National AIDS Control Project (NACP II) was launched with two key objectives of NACP II:
(i) to reduce the spread of HIV infection in India
(ii) to increase India’s capacity to respond to HIV&AIDS on a long-term basis.
This was the phase of set up of State AIDS Control Societies (SACS) and decentralisation of response. Anti retroviral treatment was also initiated during this phase in addition to Counselling and testing for HIV.

NACP III (2007-12): In response to the evolving epidemic, the third phase of the national programme (NACP-III) was launched in July 2007 with the goal of Halting and Reversing the Epidemic by the end of project period. NACP-III aimed at halting and reversing the HIV epidemic in India over its five-year period by scaling up prevention efforts among High Risk Groups (HRG) and General Population and integrating them with Care, Support & Treatment services.
In addition to above, District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCUs) are also established in high priority districts that undertake cross-cutting management and coordinate with all the HIV facilities in the district.

NACP IV (2012-2017): after successful implementation of NACP-III, fourth phase was launched with the goal to accelerate reversal and integrate response. Other objectives were to reduce new infections by 50% (2007 Baseline of NACP III) and to provide comprehensive care and support to all persons living with HIV&AIDS and treatment services for all those who require it. The key strategies are as follows:
a) Strategy 1: Intensifying and consolidating prevention services, with a focus on HRGs and vulnerable population.
b) Strategy 2: Increasing access and promoting comprehensive care, support and treatment
c) Strategy 3:Expanding IEC services for (a) general population and (b) high risk groups with a focus on behaviour change and demand generation.
d) Strategy 4: Building capacities at National, State, District and Facility levels.
e) Strategy 5: Strengthening Strategic Information Management Systems

During this phase, NACO was integrated as a Division within MoHFW.

Extended Phase, IV-2017-2020