Workshop to eliminate AIDS in Karnataka, in Bengaluru today; 27 districts in focus

As part of the nationwide implementation of Mission AIDS Suraksha, the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) is organizing a ‘Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala’ in Bengaluru on 7 March 2026, a PIB release says.

The workshop will be held under the chairmanship of Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Additional Secretary (MoHFW) and Director-General, NACO.

Core Objectives

This initiative is a critical step towards achieving HIV epidemic control by 1 December 2027 and fulfilling India’s international commitment to the United Nations goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The Bengaluru event is part of a series of 12 regional workshops designed to enhance district-level ownership, improve inter-departmental coordination, and strengthen accountability mechanisms.

As many as 219 high-priority districts across 18 states have been identified for intensified action.

Karnataka currently has an adult HIV prevalence of 0.44 percent, with an estimated 2,91,348 people living with HIV.

Based on epidemiological trends, 27 districts in the state have been identified as priority areas, which include Bengaluru Urban, Belagavi, Ballari, Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Mysuru, Raichur, Tumakuru, Chamarajanagar, Kolar, Mandya, Gadag, Koppal, Chitradurga, Kalaburagi, Dharwad, Haveri, Vijayanagara, Chikkaballapura, Hassan, Yadgir, Udupi, Bidar, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Davanagere and Dakshina Kannada.

Stakeholder Participation

The workshop will be attended by Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, Mission Director (NHM Karnataka), and the Project Director of the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS).

Leadership from the 27 priority districts, including Deputy Commissioners, Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), and NGO partners, will participate to review programme performance and address implementation gaps.

The Union government’s deliberations are expected to result in clear, time-bound, and district-specific action plans to accelerate progress toward making all districts ‘Surakshit+’, thereby achieving India’s broader goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat.