Financing issues in proposed HIV/AIDS intervention of providing antiretroviral drugs to selected regions in India

Abstract

The development of anti-retroviral therapy has given new hope for people living with the acquired immuno deficiency syndrome. The government of India has initiated anti-retroviral treatment as a part of the national public health programme in six high-prevalence states. This paper aims to examine the financial implications of initiating anti-retroviral therapy programme in the country. It highlights the importance of infrastructure and logistic requirements for developing a comprehensive treatment programme for the affected population. Finally, the paper estimates the broad financial implications of the anti-retroviral therapy under different treatment scenarios. The estimated financial requirements for treatment vary from Rs 92 crore per annum if 4,00,000 HIV/AIDS cases are covered to Rs 1,008 crore per annum if all four million patients are screened. Against this, when the programme was started the National Aids Control Organisation had allocated a total of Rs 113 crore for the treatment part of this intervention. Even under the most conservative estimate, achieving the treatment target in India with this budget will be a challenging task.