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Today, even the most moderate estimates indicate that currently over five million people in India are afflicted with HIV. (Paper 1) Although the number in itself is huge, it comprises less than one percent (0.88 %) of the 1.1 billion population.
While India cannot ignore 5.2 million of its population, nor can it focus solely on treatment. Hence, in India, the AIDS policy has to focus largely on prevention, plus provide treatment and therapy for the approximate 5 million who are currently HIV positive. India spans over a geographical area of 32,263 sq km, and houses a population almost four times that of United States. Hence, the solutions have to be geared towards policy rather than local or personal support. Answers for India require an analysis of the socioeconomic factors that will impede India’s fight against AIDS and effective policies that could be implemented using the limited resources of India. India is ranked 118 among 191 WHO member countries in overall health performance. The task of fighting AIDS is further complicated by the mass underreporting of HIV/AIDS by the private sector, utilized by 80 percent of the population. India spends 6 percent of its gross domestic product on health expenditures. However, public expenditure on health represents only 1.2% of India’s GDP, the rest of the 4.5 percent comprises of out of pocket expenditures.
In other words, of the money spent on healthcare up to 80 percent comes directly from households. Only 3- 4 percent of the population is insured, and even with 100 percent escalation rates, by 2010 less than 15 percent of the individuals will be insured. (Gupta 207) By the same year, it is estimated that India will have 20 -25 million HIV cases. (Avert )
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