Dear Colleagues,

It is an esteemed privilege forthe AIDS Society of India (ASI) and the ASICON 2016 Organizing Committee to welcome you to the 9th National Conference of AIDS Society of India, at the Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai from October 7 - 9, 2016.

We have completed three decades of HIV epidemic in India and 16 years of fruitful existence of ASI. Last decade and more so last year, has witnessed astounding evolution of ART- from treatment for few to ‘Treat All’! In light of this ‘Test and Treat’ strategy, Treatment as Prevention (TasP) and Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for all, we as a country have a long way to go in efficiently integrating these into our national guidelines as also in our clinical practice.

After the Union Government’s bold step on integrating the Department of AIDS Control with its parent Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the National AIDS Control Programme has been facing newer challenges. Achieving the ambitious treatment target of 90-90-90 by 2020 set by the UNAIDS, with enormous gap is a herculean task and will only be possible by an intensive effort by the government in co-ordination with caregivers, NGOs, pharmaceutical industry, private sector and the community. What the target means is - by 2020, 90% of all PLHIV will know their HIV status, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained ART and 90% of all people receiving ART will have viral suppression.Though on the face of it looks just short of 10%, in reality it is only 72% achievement and any further shortfall in any of the parameters severely impacts the final tally. For illustration, if the target is stuck at 80-80-80 the tally will be 51% and if it is 70-70-70 the tally will be abysmally 34%! We aren’t sure where does India stand on this front.

ASICON is a great opportunity to review, deliberate and develop strategies to enhance our capacity to offer quality HIV care. As always, we have a galaxy of national and international experts who will help us update our knowledge and identify practice and research gaps in India. By partnering with the Forum of Parliamentarians on HIV/AIDS for last 4 years, ASI has also taken the initiative to influence policy makers and planners on the needs and aspirations of PLHIV as also on the role of HIV physicians. Another major achievement for ASI this time is getting HIV Medical Association of India – HIVMAI on board as its academic partner. NACO, ICMR, UNAIDS, Medical Council of India, Department of Bio-Technology continue to be our Academic Partners.

Despite not having any financial assistance nationally or internationally, at ASICON 2016, we will continue with the scholarship programme using our own funds. With abundant global research on HIV treatment, cure and vaccine, it is all the more necessary that we train and empower our new generation of young physicians and scientists to take on the task of working towards ending the epidemic with this year’s theme “Eliminating HIV: Progress& Reality”.

We hope to see you soon at ASICON-2016!
Dr. Ishwar Gilada,
President

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