Varanasi: Varanasi has been declared the only ‘Saksham’ district in Uttar Pradesh in the latest district-wise ranking released on the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) portal. The recognition follows an evaluation based on the 95-95-99 global HIV targets prescribed by NACO.Under NACO’s classification, districts are placed in three categories. A district achieving one parameter is classified as ‘Sangharsheel’, one achieving two parameters as ‘Saksham’, and one meeting all three parameters as ‘Surakshit’. Varanasi met the first and third parameters, earning the ‘Saksham’ status.Under the 95-95-99 framework, the first target requires that at least 95% of the estimated HIV-positive population in a district should know their HIV status. The second target requires that 95% of those diagnosed with HIV should be linked to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). The third target requires that 99% of people receiving ART should achieve viral suppression, reducing the risk of HIV transmission to negligible levels.Chief medical officer Dr Mukesh Kumar said the achievement was the result of coordinated efforts by the health department, Uttar Pradesh State AIDS Control Society, DISHA Cluster, ICTC, ART Centre, DSRC, SSK, COE, OST Centre, Targeted Intervention projects, community-based organisations, non-governmental organisations and all officials and staff associated with the programme.He said the recognition reflects Varanasi’s strong healthcare system in HIV prevention, early diagnosis, linkage to treatment and continuity of care.District TB officer and DISHA in-charge Dr Piyush Rai said the evaluation was conducted under NACO’s revised guidelines. A state-level workshop was jointly organised by the Uttar Pradesh State AIDS Control Society and NACO in Lucknow on June 18, 2026, in which DMs or their nominated officers, CMOs and district TB officers from all districts participated. Districts also made presentations before the Additional Chief Secretary, Medical, Health and Medical Education.Dr Rai said Varanasi’s inclusion in the ‘Saksham’ category demonstrates the district’s effective implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment, counselling, community participation and outreach programmes for high-risk groups. He described the recognition as a matter of pride for both Varanasi and UP and an important milestone towards achieving the objectives of the National AIDS Control Programme.
