Transcript Slide 1
COUNTRY PRESENTATION
(DRUGS AND HIV/AIDS)– Nepal
Dr. Krishna Kumar Rai, Director
National Centre for AIDS and STD Control,
Ministry of Health and Population
National structures in response to
HIV/AIDS
National AIDS Council (NAC) headed by the
Prime Minister
National HIV/AIDS and STI Control Board (HSCB)
National Centre for AIDS and STD Control
(NCASC) headed by a Director (under Ministry of
Health and Population)
HIV/AIDS program is P1 program /integrated
program
District AIDS Coordination Committees (DACC) in
75 districts, DHO is the secretariat of DACC
HIV situation in Nepal, 2011
Total HIV infection reported as of 17 September,
2011-18535 (Male-11964, Female-6571)
Heterosexual transmission is predominant-- More
than 80% infections are spread through sexual
transmission
Injecting drug users, female sex workers and their
clients, MSM, mobile and migrant popn are the
key sub populations are the most at risk
population - driving the epidemic
Injecting Drug Users
Profile and behavioural characteristics
Estimated number – 33, 742
61.6% aged between 20-29 years
59.6 % unmarried
41.7% have completed 10 or more years of
schooling
Prevalence of HIV among IDU in Kathmandu
Valley is 6.3% and 4.6% in Pokhara
Narcotic Policy
Narcotic policy (because of HIV transmission
related components-harm reduction) has been
recognised and mainstreamed in MOHA policy
and related strategy (i.e. Drug Control Strategy
2010).
Emphasis is given on reducing stigma and
discrimination in all related activities—
sensitization, awareness campaign.
Ongoing Country Efforts
•
National Drug Control Policy -operational
•
New Drug Control Law - upcoming
•
Drug Control Strategy -endorsed
•
The Guidelines for rehab centres -operational
•
OST Guideline is on the final stage-under
translation
Ongoing Country Efforts
Implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy 20112015
Health System strengthening for treatment, care and
support –under GFATM support/pool fund capacity
development, training –under implementation.
Community System Strengthening- under
implementation, HIV prevention, community care
support programs in partnership with civil society --funded by Global Fund Round 7, Global Fund Round
10 and through Sector Wide Approach –supported by
pooled partners (World Bank, DFID, AusAID)
Contribution of the project in the
National response
Coordination in setting up Harm Reduction & Methadone
Maintenance program and ensuring a smooth transition
to a government led mechanism supported by Global
Fund and Pooled Funds
Technical partnership in involving civil society, IDU
network in terms of HIV prevention of transmission,
Direct service to over 8000 IDUs through, Comprehensive
Harm Reduction services and Methadone Treatment
Advocacy for conducive policy environment to drug users
in the country
Overall coordinating role between the Ministry of Home
Affairs and Ministry of Health and Population
Way Forward
Collaboration- strengthen regional cooperation
through knowledge & experience sharing
Develop Regional Harm Reduction Policy,
Strategy and advocacy guidelines
Provide lead TA role in research as well as in
program development in terms of new dynamics
among adolescents and young drug users (under
18)
Explore and invite new donors in the South east
Asia region with the changing economic
context,----- economically rising country like
China (also high prevalence of HBV)
THANK YOU