Permanent Mission of India, Geneva

WHO Executive Board - 138th Session
25-30 January 2016

Agenda item 9.2: Draft global health sector strategies on HIV/Hepatitis and STIs, 2016-2021

Statement by India

Madam Chair,

Our comments are for all the three strategies for HIV, Hepatitis and STIs.

2. The WHO draft global health sector strategy on HIV comes at an important time when the world has committed to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. The sectoral strategy on HIV will be critical in achieving many of the SDGs. India notes that the strategy is aligned with the Global HIV strategy adopted by Member States in the UNAIDS Programme Coordination Board in October 2015.

3. Interventions in the health sector, strengthening of health systems and the role of WHO are important if the world has to achieve the targets set for HIV/AIDS. It is also critical that the global strategy emphasises linkages with co-infections such as TB and Hepatitis. In fact, in coming years HIV services should also develop linkages with Non-communicable diseases including mental health. Adequate emphasis on ensuring access to affordable HIV medicines including second line drugs is also required.

4. India is committed to ending the AIDS epidemic. We have come a long way in the last 15 years. New HIV infections have been reduced by more than 66% since 2000. AIDS related deaths have declined by more than 54% since 2007 as we have scaled up access to antiretroviral treatment. We have also introduced CBNAT tests for Rifampicin resistant TB in many ARV centers and this coverage is being expanded rapidly.  Diagnosis and treatment for both HIV and TB is free of cost under our national programmes.

5. India's contribution to ensuring access to quality generic medicines for HIV is well acknowledged globally. We will continue to contribute to international community's efforts in ending AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Madam Chair,

6. The draft global health strategy for Viral Hepatitis identifies the relevant interventions in a fairly comprehensive manner with the focus on Hep B and Hep C, where the risk factors and modes of transmission are the same. In the strategic vision, however, the aspect of prevention, though implicit in halting the transmission, should be specifically mentioned. This will ensure that preventive aspects, which are so vital and cost effective, get the desired focus and prominence. We also suggest that the strategy should have a specific priority for developing hepatitis C vaccine. In so far as Hep B is concerned, vaccination against this infection has already been included in our universal immunization programme.

7. In India, we do not consider vaccination against Hepatitis A and E as a priority. For Hep A and Hep E, our thrust in on promoting safe food and water, improving hygiene and sanitation, increasing public awareness and strengthening of health systems for early diagnosis and management.

Madam Chair,

8. We have also noted the proposed strategy for sexually transmitted infections. We would request WHO to share with us more scientific evidence on HPV vaccination for elimination of cervical cancer and genital warts. It would be important to assess the evidence regarding immunity provided by HPV vaccine, adverse events, target age groups, requirement of repeat vaccinations and whether other cost effective and equally efficacious interventions are possible from a public health point of view. The draft Strategy has given ambitious milestones for 2020 with estimation of resources required for full achievement of these goals. We presume that these estimates have emerged after due diligence. However, making these funds available, in the face of competing demands for health related SDGs is going to be a major challenge.

9. More consultations can be undertaken before these strategies are adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2016.

Thank you Madam Chair.