Control HIV spread, improve public health system: NAC to Govt

Shifting focus to the health sector, the National Advisory Council (NAC) today asked the Centre to revise strategies to control the spread of HIV/AIDS and to reach the vulnerable populations effectively. Chaired by Sonia Gandhi, the NAC also favoured a clear definition of the objectives of the recently-launched National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), and the setting of time-bound goals and specific road maps.

Taking up the issue of HIV/AIDS, the NAC said there was a need to streamline data collection and for random sampling, to ensure more effective interventions. Stressing full coverage of vulnerable populations, including sex-workers and drug-users, the Council said the focus should be on ‘‘deliverable goals’’.

On NRHM, the Council said the community-based public health system should be strengthened and a national health service of acceptable standards developed.