Under NACP-V, the Community Champions initiative has emerged as a powerful step towards empowering key population communities at the grassroots through a volunteer-driven model. More than 4,500 champions have been trained across 32 states in India. In the current grant cycle, Alliance India (India HIV/AIDS Alliance), as a Principal Recipient, is implementing this initiative across nine states and currently has over 1,600 active community champions. The initiative is based on a non-monetary, voluntary approach. Instead, they were trained using the Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) curriculum and are contributing significantly to bridging the gaps in achieving the national 95-95-95 targets for HIV.

States like Manipur and Maharashtra have demonstrated notable success in engaging these champions. In both states, champions have been actively involved in community-based screening initiatives among high-risk groups, as well as in index testing of partners from key population communities. The Prevention Divisions of the State AIDS Control Societies in Manipur and Mumbai have led these efforts with positive results. Champions have been mobilised from diverse communities, including people living with HIV (PLHIV), people who use injecting drugs (PWUID), female sex workers, young key populations, transgender persons, hijras, and men who have sex with men (MSM).

In Manipur, 32 champions have been actively engaged in the programme. In Mumbai, 10 champions have contributed to a wide range of community-based interventions including hotspot identification, index testing, awareness generation, condom promotion, and referral services. In other districts of Maharashtra such as Aurangabad, Gondia, Jalgaon, Latur, Nagpur, Nandurbar, and Pune, champions have been successfully placed in employment.

On World Health Day, observed on 7th April 2025, Alliance India highlighted its Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV and Syphilis (EVTHS) programme across its social media platforms. The message centred around ensuring that every child is born healthy and every mother has a hopeful and supported future. The EVTHS programme focuses on the early detection and timely treatment of pregnant women living with HIV and/or syphilis.

Check out the video message from our Head – Care & Support, Firoz Khan, where he highlights how the Vihaan programme is actively working to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, ensuring a healthy beginning and a hopeful future for both mothers and newborns:

Diagnosed with HIV at just six years old, Lucy’s life changed forever. Born in 1999, she was the only one in her family living with HIV—most likely contracted through shared breastfeeding as a baby. Her condition was discovered by a community leader during a routine outreach visit.

Her early years were marked by poverty, isolation, and painful stigma. Her family, overwhelmed and unequipped, placed her in a foster home for children living with HIV. It was there that Lucy first found safety—but acceptance remained distant, both from her family and society.

Later, she returned to live with her parents. However, in her teens, she became pregnant and was abandoned by both her partner and her family. Lucy worked as a domestic helper to raise her child, but she refused to be defined by her circumstances.

Through the Prevention of Parent-To-Child Transmission (PPTCT) program, Lucy received timely support and treatment—and her son was born HIV-negative. A powerful reminder of what early intervention and care can achieve.

In 2020, Lucy started working with the programme, using her lived experience to guide and empower others living with HIV. Today, her viral load is undetectable, healthy, and raising her son with strength and purpose.

“My son is my strength. Helping others like me gives my life purpose,” says Lucy. Her story is one of courage, resilience, and the power of community.