The Indian State of Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry are “hot spots” for HIV/AIDS in India, which has 2.47 million HIV infected persons, the third highest number in any country. The Governments of the United States and India actively collaborate to mitigate its impact and further spread.

The AIDS Prevention and Control (APAC) project – a collaboration of USAID, Government of India and Voluntary Health Services – helps India fight the epidemic in these regions in several ways. The project closely works with local State AIDS Control Societies (SACS) to identify gaps in coverage and supports NGOs and community-based organizations to cover most-at-risk vulnerable populations (sex workers, men having sex with men, truck drivers, youth, industrial workers). The project also supports NGOs and private medical institutions to provide primary, secondary and tertiary care to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs). Since December 2007, APAC has been identified by NACO to provide technical support to TANSACS, PSACS and KSACS in the areas of strategic planning, mainstreaming HIV into other sectors, capacity building, public private partnerships and targeted interventions. APAC has brought substantial changes into the lives of many individuals.

The project:

• Educates target populations on the disease, removing myths and stigmas about HIV/AIDS;
• Supports HIV counseling and testing that lets people know their status;
• Provides palliative care to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS;
• Strengthens research mechanisms that improve prevention and care interventions;
• Trains health providers in STI/ HIV/AIDS treatment and care;
• Builds the capacity of NGOs to manage HIV/AIDS projects; and
• Encourages private sector and faith based organizations commitment to HIV/AIDS.