Give a future for 950 Indian kids living with HIV

Nandhakumar is 14 years old and HIV-positive, diagnosed following treatment at a government hospital. His parents, accused each other and separated even though both tested HIV-negative. He he now lives with his mother, who has consulted a fortune teller and believes treatment is unnecessary. We meet them regularly but this is not the time to try and find out how he was infected.

Annual Report April 2025 – March 2026

Working through HIV-positive networks across 8 Districts in Tamil Nadu, the programme follows up and counsels HIV-positive children and their guardians to ensure treatment adherence at government centres, manage complications, support education, secure government entitlements, and address wider social issues affecting their wellbeing. The programme currently supports 438 HIV-positive children under 18 (231 boys, 207 girls).

New cases and transfers Nine children were newly detected as HIV-positive during the year, most born to irregularly treated or untreated mothers. Two cases — both 14-year-old boys with confirmed HIV-negative parents — remain unexplained, with possible routes including contact with infected blood, sexual transmission or abuse, or unofficial adoption. All nine are now on ART, with one exception. Twenty children (14 girls, 6 boys) were transferred from other districts, 16 from two closed hostels; all but one are on ART.

Treatment adherence Of 438 children, 432 are currently on ART. Five children or guardians who had stopped or refused treatment were successfully persuaded to recommence. Of 31 children with irregular adherence, 27 have been regularised through counselling and follow-up. Twenty-six children on second-line ART received specialised adherence support. During the year, 83 children experienced opportunistic infections, 16 requiring hospitalisation.

Young adults 541 HIV-positive unmarried young adults over 18 received premarital, safe sex, and related counselling — 167 in group sessions, the remainder individually. Twenty-seven individuals with HIV-negative partners received specialised counselling on status disclosure.

Key constraint Access to second-line ART drugs remains the most significant challenge. Around 100 children require a more expensive drug regimen — often due to earlier use of cheaper off-patent drugs or irregular treatment — but are not receiving it. Authorities deny drug shortage or cost considerations, and HIV networks, most of whom receive government funding, are constrained in challenging this formally.