Experimental vaccine may protect against HIV:

Experimental vaccine may protect against HIV:

Context:

• Scientists have developed a novel vaccine candidate that may prevent HIV infection by stimulating an immune response against sugars that form a protective shield around the virus.

What has the scientist found?

• Researchers tried to create an HIV vaccine targeting gp120, but had little success as the sugar shield on HIV resembles sugars found in the human body and do not stimulate a strong immune response.
• Over 60 strains of HIV exist and the virus mutates.
• As a result, antibodies against gp120 from one HIV strain will not protect against other strains.

What is HIV?

• HIV stands for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus.
• HIV after entering the human body gradually destroys the immune system, i.e. the ability to fight infections/diseases.

What is AIDS?

• AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
• It is the later stage of infection with HIV.
• It is a condition in which a group of symptoms appear as the immune system becomes very weak.

What are causes of HIV/AIDS?

• The virus transmission is facilitated when either partner has other sexually transmitted disease (STDs).
• The second mode is through the transfusion of HIV infected blood or the blood products.
• The third mode is through infected blood in needles, syringes and other such instruments.
• The third way is the transmission from an infected mother to her newborn.

What is National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)?

• 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.

Objectives:

• The programme was enforced with an objective of slowing down the spread of HIV infections so as to reduce morbidity, mortality and impact of AIDS in the country.
• Over time, the focus has shifted from raising awareness to behaviour change, from a national response to a more decentralized response and to increasing involvement of NGOs and networks of People living with HIV (PLHIV).

II, III and IV National AIDS Control Project:

• In November 1999, the second National AIDS Control Project (NACP II) was launched to reduce the spread of HIV infection in India, and (ii) to increase India’s capacity to respond to HIV/AIDS on a long-term basis.
• NACP III was launched in July 2007 with the goal of Halting and Reversing the Epidemic over its five-year period.
• NACP IV, launched in 2012, aims to accelerate the process of reversal and further strengthen the epidemic response in India through a cautious and well defined integration process over the next five years.

Objectives of NACP IV:

• Prevention services: Intensifying and consolidating prevention services, with a focus on High Risk Groups (HRGs) and vulnerable population.
• Intensive care: Increasing access and promoting comprehensive care, support and treatment.
• IEC services: Expanding IEC services for (a) general population and (b) high risk groups with a focus on behaviour change and demand generation.
• Strengthening Strategic Information Management (SIM): SIM helps in businesses and organizations categorize, store, process and transfer the information they create and receive.

What is NACO?

• The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) was established in 1992.
• It is a division of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Objectives:

• It provides leadership to HIV/AIDS control programme in India through 35 HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Societies.
• It is the nodal organisation for formulation of policy and implementation of programs for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in India.

What is the legislation for HIV/AIDS?

• The HIV and AIDS Bill, 2014 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 21 March 2017.

Objectives:

• It aims to end the epidemic by 2030 in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.
• The Bill has been drafted to safeguard the rights of people living with HIV and affected by HIV.
• The provisions of the Bill seek to address HIV-related discrimination, strengthen the existing programme by bringing in legal accountability and establish formal mechanisms for inquiring into complaints and redressing grievances.
• A person living with AIDS cannot be treated unfairly at employment, educational establishments, renting a property, standing for public or private office or providing healthcare and insurance services.
• The Bill also aims to enhance access to healthcare services by ensuring informed consent and confidentiality for HIV-related testing, treatment and clinical research.
• Every HIV infected or affected person below the age of 18 years has the right to reside in a shared household and enjoy the facilities of the household.
• The Bill also prohibits any individual from publishing information or advocating feelings of hatred against HIV positive persons and those living with them.
• No person shall be compelled to disclose his/her HIV status except with their informed consent, and if required by a court order.
• The State and Central government should ensure prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS, provide anti-retroviral therapy, and facilitate access to welfare schemes especially for women and children.
• Every person in the care and custody of the State shall have right to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and counseling services.
• The Bill suggest that cases relating to HIV positive persons shall be disposed’ off by the court on a priority basis and duly ensuring the confidentiality.

Way forward:

• There is a need of major breakthrough in the research to produce a vaccine which would prevent and kill HIV enabling those who are affected, to lead a normal life.
• Until then, protected sexual intercourse, regular tests, awareness and prevention will boost our chances of tackling the deadliest disease in history
• Most importantly, the society should be more acceptable and free from the clutches of discrimination and hatred against the patient’s.