By IANS
New Delhi : The union cabinet Thursday approved the creation of a joint secretary post to oversee the multi-billion rupee National AIDS Control Programme (Phase-III).
Briefing the media after the cabinet meet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said the decision would help to coordinate with both national and international agencies.
The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), under the ministry of health and family welfare, is the apex body to detect and curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in India.
Currently, K. Sujatha Rao is its chairperson and she is responsible for everything – from devising communication strategies to overseeing medical supplies to states and setting up testing and counselling centres.
The new joint secretary will supervise the procurement of goods and services and supply chain management, which is expected to increase two fold, Dasmunsi said.
“The coordination and supervision of activities in the social sector and communication areas would be better achieved,” the minister added.
At present, India is home to 2.5 million HIV/AIDS patients including 80,000 children below the age of 14.