India: With capacity building, UNODC strengthens evidence-based responses to address HIV prevention, treatment, care and support among vulnerable groups

New Delhi, India/18 January 2023: Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, the focus on HIV prevention, treatment and care among people who use drugs has concentrated on the needs of people who inject drugs, and mainly on those who inject opiates. In 2017, there were an estimated 1.8 million new HIV infections globally, and 47% of these occurred among members of key populations–men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender women and prisoners– and their sexual partners. Members of key populations are estimated to be far more likely to be living with HIV than members of the general population.

Responding to this challenge, UNODC and UNAIDS convened a three--day training on HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for people who use stimulant drugs in New Delhi, with participation of over 40 government, civil society and health representatives from across India including community workers and vulnerable groups.

The training enhanced stakeholder capacities to implement evidence-based interventions, based on the Technical Guide on HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support for people who use stimulant drugs, developed by UNODC, WHO and UNAIDS.

The training was opened by UNODC South Asia Representative Mr. Marco Teixeira, UNAIDS India Country Director Dr. David Bridger and NACO INDIA's Deputy Director General, National AIDS Control Organisation, Dr Shobini Rajan, with technical sessions delivered by UNODC experts Mr. Mat Southwell and Ms. Monica Ciupagea. 

Held in an engaging and interactive format, the sessions helped increase awareness of the needs and issues faced by the affected groups, including the intersectionality among different key populations, as well as provided implementation guidance to help establish and expand access to core HIV and hepatitis prevention, treatment, care and support services. 

Welcoming the initiative, participants shared good practices on gender-responsive services for key population groups—including transgenders and men who have sex with men. Mr. Falzur Rahman from the HIV India Alliance reflected on community-led HIV service models, with discussions also focusing on the impact of drug use on the health of vulnerable groups as well as effective intervention and services to address this issue.

To achieve SDG target 3.3 and the UNAIDS Fast-Track strategy for ending AIDS by 2030, it is crucial to address the needs of people who use stimulant drugs who are at risk of HIV, with specific attention to the intersections among key populations.

Ending the AIDS epidemic is only achievable if we ensure that the right people access the right services, delivered in the right place and at the right time, leaving no one behind.

This activity contributed to SDG 3, SDG 5 and SDG 16: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Supported by the UBRAF Mechanism)